Opposition hits out at LDF govt over 'police atrocities'

Opposition Congress-led UDF today staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly, alleging "atrocities" and "high handedness" by police and the breakdown of law and order in the state.

Pointing out a series of recent incidents of police 'harassment' in the name of traffic regulations and strict enforcement of helmet rule in various places, the opposition members said the CPI(M) led LDF government had 'lost control' over the police force.

As many as five lock-up murder cases had been reported in the state after the Left government came into power in 2016 and the atrocities against women and children were increasing, they alleged.

 

Even the accused in murder cases like that of Youth Congress activist Shuhaib in Kannur were getting "VIP treatment" in the state jails, they alleged.

However, Law Minister A K Balan, who replied on behalf of the Chief Minister, said the government had taken stringent actions against the erring police personnel as soon as the complaints were received.

"The efficiency of Kerala police has been recognised by various agencies. But there were isolated incidents in which some police personnel acted against the spirit of the government," he said.

Stringent action, besides suspension, would be taken against the policemen to ensure that no such incidents occur again, the minister added.

Seeking notice for the motion,Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Congress) said the government and the Chief Minister, who holds the home portfolio, have lost control over the police.

The atrocities and high handedness of police was increasing in the state, he said.

"The absence of a strong government machinery is the reason behind all these recent incidents and developments. Police stations have become killing fields in the state," Radhakrishnan, the home minister in the previous UDF government, said.

Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala pointed out that five policemen had been suspended in the state on a single day, yesterday, in different incidents of harassment.

The government was trying to limit the punishment to just suspension or intensive training and no effective measures had been taken in this regard, he added.

The opposition later staged a walkout as Deputy Speaker V Sasi disallowed the motion and took up other businesses of the day.