The Left government in Kerala has permitted politicisation and criminalisation of the police, the United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition alleged in the state Assembly on Monday, December 12. The politicisation has resulted in several police officers being accused in criminal cases or not probing matters properly, the opposition alleged.
The Congress-led UDF opposition sought adjournment of the House proceedings to discuss the issue of allegedly deteriorating law and order situation in the state, claiming that the general public was concerned about it. However, Speaker AN Shamseer denied it in view of the explanation given by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is also heading the Home Department, that law and order in the state was very good and the same has been recognised by everyone across the country.
Protesting against the denial of adjournment, the UDF staged a walkout with Leader of Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan alleging that there has been "extreme politicisation" and "criminalisation" of the police force. "This has led to several officers resorting to wrong means," he alleged.
The LoP pointed out several instances, like stealing of mangoes by a police officer, a Circle Inspector being accused of crimes against women and allegedly initial lethargic approach in probing some cases like the early morning attack on a doctor in the heart of the state capital.
Satheesan urged the Chief Minister not to allow party workers and members to rule or control the police force and said that it should be permitted to function without any political interference.
His words sparked a huge outburst from the ruling front with its legislators shouting at the LoP for a few moments before the Speaker managed to calm them down.
The Chief Minister, in his speech in the House against the adjournment motion, admitted that since 2016 there were around 828 police personnel in the force who were facing criminal cases, but said that the allegations against them were being inquired into and action has been taken against some of them. He said those police personnel who were facing criminal cases account for just 1.56% of the 55,000 strong force and of them eight officers, of various ranks, have been dismissed from service since 2016.
CM Pinarayi said the state police has rendered commendable service by standing with the people during the 2018 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the same should not be forgotten.
Congress MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, one of the legislators who moved the adjournment motion, disagreed with claims of the Chief Minister and alleged that since its inception, the pink police has not registered a single POCSO case in 8-9 districts of the state despite reports of crimes against children from there. "Kerala has turned into a state where women and children are not safe," he alleged in the House. He said that of the 1.13 lakh cases lodged for crimes against women and children, only in 1.79% of the cases have the accused been brought before the law.
Refuting the allegations, CM Pinarayi said the Kerala police has competently probed several major crimes, like the 2018 Latvian tourist rape and murder and the recent human sacrifice incident. He also said the government has decided to set up 58 additional courts in the state to deal with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in a time-bound manner.
The Chief Minister also said till 2015, 976 police officers were involved in criminal cases and during the subsequent Left Front rule from 2016, the numbers have gone down to 828.
"Child-friendly police stations have been started. Strong social awareness and counselling is being done along with police action in dowry related cases," he said. He also said that according to a survey conducted by the Indian Police Foundation on corruption in the police force, the Kerala Police has been recognised for its honesty and efficiency.