KOCHI: The City Task Force (CTF), the anti-goonda squad of the City Police that was launched amid much fanfare, has virtually become a scarecrow, following the recent transfer of Kochi Range IG S Sreejith and DCP Arul R B Krishna.
The City Task Force, the first such initiative in the state, was launched on October 26, 2016, to curb goonda menace. Operating under direct supervision of IG S Sreejith, its functioning was coordinated by DCP Arul R B Krishna who was instrumental in its formation. The transfer of Sreejith and Krishna has left the squad headless. Sreejith has been shifted to Crime Branch, while Krishna was transferred to Thiruvananthapuram as DCP.
The sudden spurt in goonda activities in Kochi had triggered debates even in the Assembly, prompting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to order formation of a special squad. Interestingly, the first case registered by the Task Force, just a few days after its formation, was against CPM Kalamassery area secretary Zakir Hussain, based on a complaint filed by a businessman. However, the case came as a major blow to the CPM.
When Hussain surrendered, the CTF received accolades from various quarters. However, the inquiry has been delayed as the police is still groping in the dark about the whereabouts of Sandra Thomas, another accused in the case.
City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh said the transfer of officials had not affected functioning of the CTF. “We have revamped the squad and G H Yatish Chandra, the new DCP, is leading it now,” he said.