Poetry, policing don't mix, top Kerala woman cop discovers

A top woman Indian Police Service official has landed in a soup on account of her literary skills: A poem she wrote depicting politicians, the media and the bureaucracy in poor light is in the eye of a storm.

Additional Director General of Police B. Sandhya has been asked to explain her Malayalam poem, which appeared under a title that translated to English would read, "I can only be thus".

The poem was published in a magazine.

Director General of Police K.N. Balasubramanian has issued two letters to the ADG seeking an explanation for the poem. A reply is awaited.

Her poem takes a dig at the media, saying it uses its freedom to attack just about anyone; it lashes out at politicians, claiming power comes with impunity.

State Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan is on a foreign tour, and the state police chief is awaiting his return to decide on the future course of action in the matter.

"The minister arrives tonight," a close aide of the minister told IANS.

ADG Sandhya had faced the ire of media people, who resented her curtness at a police training camp, when she had walked out in a huff, reportedly displeased with the manner in which the camp was being conducted.