Thiruvananthapuram: With incidents of custodial torture bringing a bad name, many in the ruling front want the government to strictly enforce LDF's police policy to rein in cops with criminal bent of mind.
The coalition partners, particularly CPI, is pushing for stringent measures to ensure that custodial torture and deaths do not take place in the remaining tenure of the government. There is a feeling that cops facing serious charges like custodial deaths and excesses are not being dealt with heavy hand. Cops facing suspension for custodial deaths and torture are being given plum positions.
CPI national executive member and Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam said LDF should be a Left government in philosophy, politics and in its actions. "Custodial death is something which should be alien to LDF government. If it happens in a state like Kerala when LDF rules, we believe it is something which cannot be permitted . Culprits who ever they may be should be booked," he said.While the LDF leadership acknowledges Kerala police's excellent track record in cracking cases including those without even a shred of evidence, the back to back custodial deaths were bringing disrepute to the entire force. The CPI believes that there should be no compromise on custodial excesses and those behind such crimes should be held accountable and given exemplary punishment.
LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan, however, said the custodial torture death in Idukki was an exception. "This is not regularly happening in Kerala. The government has acted sternly against police officers who were connected with the incident. The police or the government has never tried to protect the culprits. Those officers who are allegedly involved in the inhuman behaviour have been booked under the relevant sections," he added.Though the govt has been issuing directives to cops from time to time on people friendly attitude, polite behaviour, zero tolerance to custodial excesses, there seems to be tendency among a section of cops to violate such directions.
