Kerala: Poll over, but cops still denied leave

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after the incident-free elections, around 60 Special Armed Policemen  have been kept on standby in  the AR Camp without granting them any leave.

The men who are part of two companies kept under Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner were on continuous duty for the past 10 days on account of elections.

Since their duties in north  Kerala were mostly  round the clock,  the DGP had issued a circular granting them two days’  leave. However, as per senior officers they are kept on duty to maintain law and order during the CPM-BJP marches expected in the city.

With mandalam season beginning this month, these policemen will again have non-stop duties at Sabarimala.  Soon,   the Assembly sessions will begin and continuous rallies and strikes are expected in the capital as the state prepares for the  Assembly elections by May 2016.

“Some of us were allowed to go home at 12.30 pm but we had to report back early in the morning. Earlier, during good times, SAP men were given a day holiday after a non-stop 24-hour duty. However,  this has become a luxury for a few weeks,” said a cop  attached to the SAP.

During the election duty,  they were given Rs 1,500 to meet food and other expenses but they have ended up spending at least Rs 3,000.

As per SAP commandant Abdul Razak, two companies comprising 70 men each have been given to the commissioner and a third company is under the SP. “In an emergency situation we can keep them on duty and the circular does not prevent us from doing so,” he said.

 

 

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