THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a politically significant move, CPM veteran VS Achuthanandan came down heavily on the police under the Left government for brutally attacking a local CPM leader, warning that such actions would create the impression of a fascist administration.
"The police official - who unleashed brutal attack on a CPM branch secretary, his friend and family while they were on the beach - should be dismissed from service and a case should be registered against him for attempt to murder," VS demanded. "Police officers who brutally beat up a pregnant woman and a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler should not be allowed to be in service," pointed out Achuthanandan, also the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission.
The strongly-worded statement can well be termed as Achuthanandan's reply to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his bete noire in the party, who recently said the government will not do anything to destroy the morale of the police force. "Protecting the morale of the police should not be at the cost of the general public. Police should realise that Kerala police are not the tools of torture in the hands of a fascist administration,” the former chief minister said while reminding the police that it's the Left government in power. "The times of custodial deaths are over," he warned.
"Kerala is a state where the dalits, tribals, writers and artists live independently and without fear. The police are responsible to ensure that the writers in Kerala will not have to face the same fate of Govind Pansare or Kalburgi," VS said referring to reports about writer Kamal C Chavara being taken into custody.
"According to the police, the action follows a complaint from a Yuvamorcha worker to the deputy general of police. If true, it's a serious issue. Such actions by the officials will only help to create an impression that the administration is moving towards a fascist system. In fact, it's essential that such officials' morale is shattered. Only thus, morale of the police can be protected," Achuthanandan further added.
At a time when there's unrest brewing within a section of left leaders against the police, VS Achuthanandan's statement is expected to create some ripples in the party and the ruling government.