Thiruvananthapuram: Amid widespread criticism against the Kerala Police, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vjayan on Wednesday admitted that the Home Department is beset with a few shortcomings.
The Chief Minister, who was speaking at the CPM District Committee meet in Kozhikode, said that efforts were being taken to address the issues in the police department.
"Some officials within the police department have a wrong attitude. They will be asked to mend their ways. It is, however, not ideal to pin the blame on the entire police force," the CM added.
The Police Department had recently drawn flak from several quarters, including CPM delegates attending the party's district conferences, over the deplorable conduct of a few cops.
"There is no reason to slap UAPA charges on anyone without cause," the Kerala CM said, while referring to the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Severe criticism was raised against the police force at the Kozhikode district meet. Leaders alleged that police are not considerate to complaints raised by even party sympathisers and activists.
“A group of cops are attempting to destroy the government.”
“Even the court observed that the UAPA charges slapped on Alan and Thaha in the Pantheeramkavu case was not justifiable. Party members are often clueless why the case was pursued further and why they have to justify it,” leaders from Feroke said.
"The party has erred in this case," they said.
The police force was also recently slammed for slapping UAPA charges against Youth Congress workers who protested outside the Aluva police station, following the suicide of law student Mofia Parvin.
On New Year's eve, a Swedish man had to empty two bottles of liquor after a few cops intimidated him at Kovalam. The visuals of the incident had gone viral on social media.
Another recent viral video was that of a cop assaulting a ticket-less train rider.
Following these incidents, CPM party committees, right from the branch to district levels, were rife with debates and discussions on the conduct of the police force and the implications of high-handedness for the government and the party.
The chief minister handles the home portfolio in Kerala.
