The attack on Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Kannur has prompted the Police Department to become more secretive about the security arranged for him.
There has been a directive from the Police headquarters that programmes and schedule of Oommen Chandy be kept a secret to prevent crowd gathering at the places where the Chief Minister visit.
According to police officials, the Kannur incident has revealed that political activists with the assistance of police officials get information regarding the place and time of Chief Minister visit to carry out protest.
“There is an strict directive not to pass on information regarding the programme schedule even to people in the Police Department. Only staff in the Police Control Room and Special Branch would be informed about the Chief Ministers schedule,” a police official said.
The security arrangement for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for his Kochi visit has been completely changed. The entire policemen of the Armed Reserve Camp and policemen in police stations have been deputed for the security purpose.
A top police officials in Kochi City Police said there is a directive from the police headquarters to enhance the security arranged for Chief Minister. “Now, more number of armed police officials have been deputed. Besides, the venues and places where Chandy visits would be completely under police cover. A officer would be given the charge of security. More number of policemen would be deployed along the routes through which the Chief Minister’s convoy moves. The number of commandos deployed has also been increased,” the police official said.
The State Special Branch and the Intelligence Wing of Kerala Police have been asked to be more vigilant and to pass on imputs regarding any possibility of violence.
Besides, the shadow police would patrol the city to monitor the situation at various places.
A medical team would also accompany the Chief Minister’s convoy which will have more number of vehicles.