Halt fundamentalism via community policing: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the police to make use of Janamaithri community policing for fighting religious fundamentalism. Inaugurating a two-day National Community Policing Conclave at Kovalam themed de-radicalisation through community policing here on Thursday, he said the growing fundamentalism was posing a challenge to the state. The Janamaithri beat officers can play a vital role in resisting the trend by creating awareness on these evils.

“In the wake of the recent report of the missing of 21 youth from Kerala, it is high time that our communities are adequately sensitised against subversive activities," he said at the conclave themed," he said. Mr Vijayan also stressed the need for creating legal awareness in the society. Many are getting involved in a clash with the law after getting involved in unlawful activities because of ignorance.

But ignorance of law could not be considered as an excuse. Hence legal awareness could also be made part of activities of community policing, he said. State police chief Loknath Behera, additional chief secretary (home) Nalini Netto, MG University former vice-chancellor Rajan Gurukkal and  Institute for Conflict Management executive director Ajai Sahni were present.