CM Pinarayi Vijayan at the receiving end: Four squads to probe Kevin murder

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was at the receiving end on Monday over the police lapses in connection with the abduction and honour killing of Kevin P. Joseph, 23, who had married his lover belonging to another caste. Though Kottayam Gandhi Nagar sub-inspector M. S. Shibu had allegedly refused to follow-up the case on the pretext that he was busy with the security of the chief minister who was in Kottayam on Sunday, Mr Vijayan denied it and said there was no link between his visit and the official's lapse.

"The security of the chief minister is arranged by a special team and a sub-inspector has no role in it," he said. "The police cannot shy away from law and order duty in the name of security for the CM. There is no need to connect the police with the travel plans of the CM," said a visibly angry Vijayan outside his secretariat office. However, the police records obtained by TV channels showed that Mr Shibu was handling the CM's security.

Mr Vijayan said that IG Vijay Sakhare will lead four squads to probe the murder. Apart from the police team in Kollam and Kottayam districts, the CBCID's two teams have also been asked to follow-up the case. He said such killing should not have happened and added that he had asked the DGP to take stringent action against the guilty. "What happened in Kottayam was unfortunate. I hope the culprits will be caught soon," added Mr Vijayan. Later, the Youth Congress workers waved black flags at Mr Vijayan in protest against the murder. Three of them were taken into custody. The protesters also burnt Mr Vijayan in effigy.