Bengaluru: Karnataka's director general and inspector general of police (DG/IG) Neelamani N Raju in a recent meeting held with other senior police officials decided that state policewomen would no longer be seen wearing sarees, instead will be seen wearing khaki pants and shirts along with belt and boots. The decision was taken to make it reliable for policewomen to react actively in the event of a crime.

The discussion was held with senior police officers including women police personnel before an order was issued to this effect. In particular, the issue regarding catching chain-snatchers and managing large crowds was highlighted in the discussion held on September 3 with women police officials.

Sarees will be permitted on special occasions, and meanwhile, constables in the state will continue to wear khaki sarees. New rules including keeping their hair tied in a bun have been stressed upon. Colouring of hair or wearing flowers or makeup should be avoided. Earrings should be smaller if worn, the order said.

There are around 5,000 women police officials in the state, which is less than 5% of the overall strength of 95,000 police officials and this decision will apply to all the women cops in Karnataka.