Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday hit out at Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala saying that he was known for talking nonsense. He was reacting to the questions on Chennithala’s charge that everything was being controlled in police by his adviser Raman Sreevastava. “He is famous for his nonsensical statements. He has not yet understood the importance of the opposition leader’s position that he is occupying.”
Pinarayi blamed the media for spreading untrue information which put the state in bad light. The Chief Minister said baseless reports were being spread by media. “You should desist from such reports. You are attempting to insult Kerala. There was a murder and a section was trying to create the story that the Chief Minister’s security was responsible for the lapse.
“If such wrong thing happen in the police, we will take stern action in future,” he said. On the possibility of reshuffle in police top brass, the chief minister said no such decision had been taken. “DGP is functioning in a proper way he is discharging his duty as state police chief. If you have any suggestions to improve policing we will examine,” he added.
He said a section of media was trying to cook up stories. There is no dearth in messages being given to the police personnel. From higher officials to middle level officers all have been given specific directions from time on discharging their duties, their conduct with public.
"If we examine the functioning of police department, majority of the police officers are doing a good job. There are people who are resorting to wrong things and strict action is being taken. But we cannot abolish the entire police force. Whenever there is a criminal activity on their part, legal action will be taken. No protection will be given. There is no question of any leniency," he said.
When asked why the Chief Minister required such heavy security, Pinarayi shot back “You ask those who have decided that.” The security is not decided by the chief minister himself or as an individual . “If someone blocks the chief minister then you will be raising hue and cry over security lapse and lack of adequate security cover,” he said.
When asked whether he would visit Kevin’s house, the chief minister said the question is not about visiting the place. “We are with the family. The government is with the family. Strict action has been taken, main culprits have been arrested and vehicles impounded. I have not decided to visit the house at the moment,” he added.
The Chief Minister said a section of media was passing judgement rather than giving news as news.
“This is not the right way of discharging your work. The criticism is wrong. A section of media was reporting that IG has sent a report to the DGP on the issue in which he has indicted the police. No such report was sent at that time. You create news out of nothing,”
The Chief Minister said if there was lapse on the part of the police the media had the right to criticise the government and launch scathing criticism. But by saying that because of VIP security this incident took place you want to portray that the chief minister is an accused,” he added.
‘It’s CM who is insulting state’
In a reply to the Chief Minister, opposition lea-der Ramesh Chennithala said it was Mr Vijayan who was insulting the state. "The media is doing its job," said Mr Chennithala in response to Mr Vijayan's charge that he was being defamed over the 'honour killing' of a youth at Kollam the other day. "I will do my job as the Opposition Leader to inform the people about the commissions and omissions of the government," he said referring to Mr Vijayan's statement that Mr Chennithala did not know his job as opposition leader.
Mr Chennithala, who called a press conference immediately after the CM's briefing, said Mr Vijayan had lost his mental balance. "It is not the media which is insulting the state, but the chief minister. It was the media which brought out the 'honour killing' of Kevin P. Joseph," said Mr Chennithala. "I did not talk nonsense as alleged by the CM. I will do my duty as the Opposition Leader. Even if it is the king, I will say what I have to say," he asserted.
