RS Praveen Kumar condemns suspension of police constables after wives’ protest

The controversy began when constables' wives staged a protest on October 21, demanding better treatment and addressing the challenging work schedules of their husbands. In response, battalion officials suspended 20 constables, a decision Praveen Kumar criticized as unjust and unconstitutional.

Hyderabad: BRS leader and former IPS officer Dr RS Praveen Kumar condemned the suspension of 20 police constables from the 12th Battalion in Nalgonda district, following a protest by their wives demanding better working conditions for their husbands. He criticised the State government’s handling of law and order, blaming Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy who holds the Home Department portfolio, for failing to ensure safety.

The controversy erupted after wives of constables staged a dharna on October 21, demanding fair treatment and resolution of issues faced by their husbands, including exhausting work schedules. In response, battalion officials suspended 20 constables, a move Praveen Kumar termed unjust and unconstitutional.

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“Is there a law that warrants suspension of husbands because their wives protested?” he asked.

Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday, Praveen Kumar expressed concern over the declining morale within the police department, pointing out that the unrest coincided with Police Martyrs Memorial Day. “Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao treated constables with dignity. But Revanth Reddy is looking at them as mere tools of power,” he said, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the suspended constables.

The former IPS officer went on to question the State government’s decision to reduce the number of leaves for special police constables. The special police constables previously had a 15-day duty cycle with four days off, but under Revanth Reddy’s administration, they were forced to work 26 days with only four days of rest.

Praveen Kumar also drew attention to the deteriorating law and order in the State. He cited several instances of unsolved crimes, including the brutal killing of retired bank manager Lingareddy and his wife in Hyderabad, and the murder of BRS worker Sridhar Reddy in Kolhapur, where the accused were yet to be apprehended. He accused the government of prioritising political vendettas over public safety, with focus on filing cases against the BRS leaders. “No action has been taken in cases involving attacks on BRS leaders so far,” he added.

Praveen Kumar also questioned Revanth Reddy about the fate of ‘Ek Police’ policy promised during the elections, to improve facilities for all police personnel. He stated that even the health cards of police personnel were not being accepted in the hospitals