Thiruvanathapuram: The state police, which had come under heavy attack during the December 3 hartal, are under fire for having failed miserably in booking the accused.
For instance, RSS activist Praveen, who was seen in CCTV visuals throwing bombs at the Nedumangad police station, spent two days at home without any hassles and the police never sought him. He vanished after the visuals came out.
In the other major violence, a crowd seized a police vehicle and assaulted the police team in Nedumangad, and the sub inspector's arm was fractured. Yet only two in the mob have been taken in.
The Thiruvananthapuram Rural police district witnessed high-voltage violence on the hartal day. Apart from the police station bombing and the assault on the police team, the CPM and the BJP were involved in an hours-long stone pelting, positioning face to face. Many of those involved in the violent acts are, however, roaming free, thanks to a lackadaisical police force.
Bomber Praveen spent two days at his Mavelikkara home after the attack. He fled after the media put out visuals of his act. The police, who never sought him, have now issued a lookout notice.
Only three persons have been caught over the assault on the police team though three days have passed. The police say they are in the process of identifying the guilty.
Nearly 50 people have been booked over the major clashes in Malayinkeezhu, but only two have been arrested.
The total number of arrests in the Thiruvananthapuram Rural police district reflect the lapses on the part of officers in charge, including the superintendent. Only 170 arrests have been made in 96 cases. In Palakkad, where similar violence occurred, the police have booked 764 people. In Pathanamthitta, 677 were arrested.
The CPM has complained to the top officers that the force is protecting RSS leaders.