Bengaluru: As many as 21,943 police posts are vacant in Karnataka, affecting the law and order situation and security of the citizens.

According to data released by the Union Home Ministry, 1,00,243 police posts have been sanctioned to Karnataka and out of this, 21,943 posts are lying vacant.

Authorities said that many reasons can be attributed to the huge number of vacancies including retirement and resignations. “Many police constables resign in the middle of their service. Even though the annual recruitment process is taken up, it is not keeping pace with the retirement and increasing population,” explained a police officer.