Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and MLA Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday sharply criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his claims of action taken against 144 erring police officials. Addressing the media, Chennithala challenged the CM to release data on the number of police personnel dismissed from service for misconduct.

“The Chief Minister tried to mislead the Assembly. Fewer than 50 police officials were dismissed during his tenure. Though action was proposed against 144 cops, the Pinarayi government acted only against those who went on long leave. The action was taken only for long absence, not for misconduct,” alleged Chennithala.

He demanded that the CM either release the data or issue a public apology for “lying to the Assembly.”

Chennithala also declared that he would submit a privilege notice against the CM in the Assembly.

“The Oommen Chandy government had dismissed 61 police officials for damaging the force’s honour,” he added.

Meanwhile, a protest march to the state Assembly staged by KSU, condemning alleged police atrocities, turned violent on Thursday. Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters. In the visuals aired on the news channels, the protesters were seen clashing with the police. Several KSU workers were detained during the protest.