KOCHI: The hartal called by Dalit organisations on Monday has put the intelligence agencies and Kerala Police on their toes as inputs reveal possible law and order breakdown forcing the agencies to strengthen vigil across the state.
The state intelligence wing is analysing the developments in detail as their assessment reports suggest the Popular Front of India (PFI), CPI (Maoist) and other civil rights groups are backing the Dalits and the hartal might be turned violent to disrupt peace and grab attention.
A latest report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has warned about a number of civil rights groups working as front organisations for the CPI (Maoist) and using displacement of local communities as one of their plank for mobilising mass opinion in their favour.
As per the MHA assessment, the CPI (Maoist) affiliates keep indulging in propaganda against alleged atrocities against tribals by security forces in various cities and towns.
Both SB-CID and Internal Security wing have collected ground-level information with regard to the PFI’s support to the hartal.
“Certain extreme civil rights groups are backing the hartal. We’re closely watching the developments,” said a senior intelligence officer.
Kochi Range Inspector General Vijay Sakare said the police have taken all necessary measures to prevent untoward incidents on the hartal day. “We have certain details and are watchful. Will deploy additional police personnel as part of strengthening security,” he said.
According to the police, Dalits organisations like Akhila Kerala Cheramar Hindu Mahasabha, Cheramar Sambavar Development Society (CSDS), National Dalit Liberation Front, Dalit Human Rights Movement, Kerala Cheramar Sangham, Social Liberation Front, Bahujan Samaj Party and Dravida Varga Aikya Munnani are taking part in the hartal.
The Intelligence wing is also keeping a tab on the civil rights bodies which have allegiance with the CPI (Maoists).