THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thanks to the ugly spat among the police top brass, the Kerala police morale has hit a new low. Worse, the State Government is seen to have brought in ADGP Tomin Thachankary to spy on his boss, Mr T.P. Senkumar. Even the High Court the other day wondered whether Mr Thachankary was brought in to “monitor” the State police chief. Insiders say the friction between the DGP and ADGP has created a divide in the police hierarchy and created a sense of lawlessness within the police force. Many felt this ugly chapter would soon pass because Mr Senkumar has only a fortnight left for retirement. But there are other who suspect the situation will extend further.
Says former DGP K.J. Joseph: “Unprecedented things are happening in the police force. The government might have posted Thachankary at the police headquarters to restrain Senkumar. If Thachankary continues at the PHQ when a new state police chief takes over, the incumbent may also not be able to work freely”. Many refused to even comment, stating that it was such an embarrassing situation. Some commented, pleading anonymity.
Another retired officer said the track record of the two officers should stand testimony to their respective positions. While Senkumar’s integrity was endorsed by the Supreme Court recently, Thachankary has many things to explain for. “When the unrest at PHQ makes headlines, what confidence will the public have in the police,” a senior IPS officer asked. “People keep on asking updates on the fight at the top. It seems the public perception is that a terror situation is prevailing,” said an official at the police headquarters.
PHQ sources said many officers were afraid to call on Mr. Senkumar for official matters fearing Mr Thachankary will report them to the Government. “Thachankary would run the show after Senkumar leaves office and none wants to earn his wrath”, they said. Referring to the move to proceed against Mr Senkumar on the basis of Mr Thachankary’s complaint of abuse and physical violence, legal officers said the move would backfire. Already two weeks had passed since the alleged incident. Being a senior police officer well versed in law, Thachankary should have approached the nearest police station if he had suffered a criminal offence.
Hence, any further move to complain against Mr Senkumar may not wash, sources said. But the Government does not perceive this a bad situation, calling for its intervention. “There are no serious issues at the PHQ. One officer (Thachankary) had taken up his grievance with the government. The Government has sought DGP’s explanation and directed him to comply with government orders on other issues. This does not have any bearing on the police force,” said Chief Minister’s private secretary M.V. Jayarajan.
