Stick with government policies, CM Pinarayi Vijayan tells police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst allegations of crumbling law and order in the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned of strong action against erring senior police officials on Saturday. He said that the action would not be limited to mere suspension of sub-inspectors and civil police officers. He asked officials to stick to government policies and restrain from criticising higher ups on social media.

He was speaking at a closed door meeting of police officers including the sub-inspectors of Thiruvananthapuram Range held at Technopark. Similar meetings would be held in the other three ranges also.  The home department had recently come under fire for their responses in cases like the death of Jishnu Pranoy and Mishel Shaji. The meeting reviewed the reason for which 42 UAPA Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act cases were pressed in ‘unnecessary circumstances’.

Mr Vijayan reiterated that policemen should consult with respective district police chiefs in the case of pressing UAPA cases against various entities. He directed policemen to do away with custodial torture and resort to people-friendly actions. He promised that the government would protect all police officers who went by the book. Special attention was demanded for cases of atrocities against women and children. Chief Minister’s Advisor on Police Raman Srivastava, Home Secretary Subrata Biswas and State Police Chief Loknath Behera were present