Kerala CM withdraws from book release event of top police official

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday decided against attending a function to release a book by a serving top Kerala Police official that has lavished praise on the Left leader.

The book, titled 'Sravukelku Opam Neenthumpol' (Swimming With The Sharks) and written by Director General of Police Jacob Thomas, was to be released here at 5 p.m. on Monday by Vijayan.

It tells the tale of Thomas' police service. The author is very critical of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the book.

The immediate reason for the cancellation was after senior Congress legislator K.C. Joseph in a letter cautioned Vijayan that he should ensure that all rules and procedures were followed by the author, who is a serving official.

Later addressing reporters, Vijayan said that after getting the letter, he sought legal opinion from the Law Secretary.

"The advice I received was that there are some issues, and I felt that it was not proper on my part to take part in the function, and hence am not going," said Vijayan.

Thomas later informed the media that the programme stands cancelled and the book would be available online and also in the open market.

The book contains damning references to Chandy, his former cabinet colleagues State Excise Minister K. Babu and State Finance Minister K.M. Mani, and also against former CPI Minister C. Divakaran, who is currently a legislator.

Thomas, who was posted as Vigilance director the day Vijayan assumed office last year, is currently on two month's leave.

--IANS

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