Kerala opposition stages walkout over posting of police officers

The Left opposition on Monday staged a walkout from the Kerala assembly over the government reply on the posting of senior police officers in the state.

Opposition legislator V. Sreeramakrishnan earlier sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the assembly that the decision to post police officers vested with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's government.

"It's the government that decides postings of police officers and not vice versa. It has happened when you (opposition) ruled the state. Under no circumstances can any police official think that he should be appointed to a particular post... such a thing cannot happen," Chennithala said.

Sreeramakrishnan told the house that though there were four directors general of police (DGPs) in Kerala, the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau was headed by an additional DGP instead of a DGP-rank officer.

In reply, Chennithala said the Left had done the same on numerous occasions during its 10-year rule.

"Kerala has two cadre posts and two non-cadre posts of DGP. We have acted in a fair manner. As soon as a DGP post fell vacant, we promoted an ADGP," the minister said.

"When you (opposition) makes statements, please get your facts right. We have never done anything wrong. When we meet the prime minister on December 9, we will again request him for more cadre posts of DGP in Kerala," he said.

"No police official can demand any post. At least allow us to do this...," the minister said.

Unhappy over the reply, the opposition staged a walkout.