Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the police to deal strongly with agitations that affect the people’s movement. “The police should not fall at the feet of agitators who block roads. Agitators who block the roads should be arrested and removed,” he said at a meeting with the district police chiefs through video conferencing on Monday. He cautioned the police against misuse of Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA), popularly known as Goonda Act, and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
“KAPPA was widely misused by the previous UDF government against the Opposition. The present LDF government would not support such a stand. Laws like UAPA and KAAPA should be enforced judiciously. UAPA should be enforced only under some peculiar circumstances. But there were instances of invoking UAPA cases which do not warrant it. Such situations should be avoided,” he said. He also called upon the cops to identify attempts to create law and order problems in the state.
“The police will be able to curb law and order problems only if they can sense what is happening behind the curtain. There are elements which want to create law and order problems through communal tension. There should not be any compromise on such attempts,” said the chief minister. He also warned of stringent action against lock-up torture. State police chief Loknth Behera and additional chief secretary (home) Nalini Netto were present at the meeting.
