74 Scheduled Tribe youths appointed in police force

In a significant move to empower people from the marginalised sections, the CPI(M) led LDF government today appointed 74 tribal youths as policemen through special recruitment.

The appointment orders in this regard were handed over to them by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function here.

"Those selected belong to the Most Backward Sections among Scheduled Tribes, the Adiyan and Kattunayakan tribes, and include 55 men and 22 women", Vijayan said.

The special recruitment process was initiated to address the lack of representation of Scheduled Tribes in public service, he said.

The rules were amended suitably to expedite recruitiment, he said, adding that a pro-active stance was undertaken in many cases, where the authorities personally met candidates to receive their applications.

Those selected have been exempted from giving bonds that are part of the Public Service Recruitment process.

The youths will undergo nine months training at the Police academy here.

"Since this Government assumed power, 25 special recruitments have been made," Vijayan said.

Significantly, one of those appointed was Chandrika, youngest sister of tribal youth Madhu, who was lynched by a mob at Attapady in Palakkad in February 23 this year on the charge of having stolen some food.

The incident had triggered widespread protests in the state.

"I am very happy. Madhu always wanted me to get a government job," a teary-eyed Chandrika said.