Kerala CM makes u-turn on security
Pinarayi said there were lapses on the part of the police and that's why police officers including SI and ASI were suspended.
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday made an about turn on the issue of his security during Kottayam visit. All along he had maintained that Gandhi Nagar SI was not entrusted with his security.
However, at the Cabinet briefing here he said in the event of CM visiting a particular area...it was usual practice to put the SI concerned of the area on security duty. However, he refuted the allegation that the police could not probe the kidnapping of Kevin because of the VIP security duty.
The normal practice is to have the SI of the police station concerned present in case if the VIP function is to be held in his area. “My function in Gandhi Nagar was in the afternoon. I am not going into the details. The other issue (kidnapping) came to light in the morning but no action was taken. It was a grave lapse on the part of a responsible police officer. Prima facie it was a grave lapse on his part.
“The programme was in the evening and kidnapping compliant came up in the morning. However there was deliberate attempt to hold CM security responsible for the police lapse which led to the murder,” he added.
Pinarayi said there were lapses on the part of the police and that’s why police officers including SI and ASI were suspended. Action has been taken against them. “When such a crime takes place, in normal course the police immediately initiate the required action. But the police failed to discharge its responsibility in this particular incident and that is why those responsible for the lapse have been suspended and other actions were being contemplated against the cops. The probe is being conducted,” he added.
“I would not be able to say anything on the investigation and its progress. If a serious complaint comes none of the people responsible for it will be protected or spared. Stern action will be taken against them. There shouldn’t be any doubt among people on this count.
He said in a force comprising 60,000 personnel even if one or two indulge in wrong things it would certainly lead to criticism again the police and the government which controlled the department. “Advise to the wrong doers may not be enough. Stern action has to be taken against them. If you look at the recent incidents the government took stern action. This was done to send a strong message to the police force,” he said.