Ending the spell of dithering, State Police top brass has decided to strike back at the agitating policemen who wore black armbands by way of protest against alleged pay anomalies. They are contemplating action against such cops under Police-Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966 and appropriate sections of IT Act. DGP BS Sidhu said action is must, given the laws not allowing the law-enforcers to vent grievances in the open.
Under this Act, no member of a police force shall, without the express sanction of the State Government or of the prescribed authority, be a member of, or be associated in any way with any trade union, labour union, political association or with any class of trade unions, labour unions or political associations, society, institution, association or organisation that is not recognised as part of the force of which he is a member or is not of a purely social, recreational or religious nature-or communicate with the press or publish or cause to be published any book, letter or other document except where such communication or publication is in the bona fide discharge of his duties or is of a purely literary, artistic, scientific character or is of a prescribed nature.
If any question arises as to whether any society, institution, association or organisation is of a purely social, recreational or religious nature under Clause (b) of this sub-section, the decision of the Centre, thereon, shall be final. No member of a police-force shall participate in, or address any meeting or in any demonstration organised by/for any political purposes.