Walkout in Kerala assembly over rising crimes

The Congress-led opposition in the Kerala assembly walked out on Tuesday in protest against rising crimes in the state.

The walkout came as Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan disallowed leave for an adjournment motion moved by former Home Minister and Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

Before leading the walkout, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that peace and tranquility in Kerala was destroyed with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan losing his grip over the state police.

He said the nine-month-old Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government had converted Kerala -- God's own country -- into goons' own country.

"(At least) 18 murders have taken place, 1,085 rape cases, 620 children have been attacked and 2,690 cases of attack on women have been registered after you (Vijayan took over in May last year)," Chennithala said.

The Congress leader said there was a spurt in criminal activities and goons were having a free run as Vijayan had failed in handling the police.

He said: "When I was heading the home department, we had a special programme 'Operation Sureksha' and 'Operation Kubera', where goons were targeted and taken into custody.

"It's most unfortunate that you have not taken forward the programme just because it was launched by us... God's own country has now become goons' own country," said Chennithala.

Radhakrishnan said a comparison between the present and then Congress government revealed that under Vijayan there were 6,100 more crime related cases.

According to him, even the Director General of Police T. P. Senkumar fears for his life.

"There is an overall drop in the law and order situation in the state as there has been an increase in crimes, besides cases of moral policing have also gone up," said Radhakrishnan.

Replying to the allegations, Vijayan said the situation was better than under Congress rule in the state.

The Chief Minister cited reports of a popular film actress having to face unpleasant situations during the Congress rule while attending a programme where a Congress MP was present.

"Shwetha Menon had to face a tough time, and the youth Congress activists themselves later protested against the humiliation she had suffered."

According to Vijayan, he has implemented a programme where police officers are given a list of anti-social elements to act against.

"With regard to the DGP who is facing problems... he has now moved away from his earlier position and is now looking for greener pastures," he said.

The Chief Minister warned the Congress not to support the DGP as he was putting the government into difficulties.

--IANS

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