THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police force in the state should not succumb to baseless criticism, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. He was speaking after inaugurating a special convention of Kerala Police Association here on Wednesday. “If anybody comes up with unhealthy criticism, please don’t get upset. The government will not do anything that would affect the morale of police force by any means. If there is some healthy criticism, the government will come up with appropriate measures,” said Vijayan.
The Chief Minister’s address to the police since the Nilambur encounter assumes significance as the police action had invited widespread criticism from various quarters, including senior CPM leader V S Achuthanandan.
However, Vijayan also hinted that there were some lapses on the part of the police in enforcing the law and order in certain cases. He also criticised the organisational flaws that prevailed in policing in the past. “Earlier, the Police Association used to engage in some practices that sabotaged discipline. It had also ruined the association by and large. However, this tendency has stopped and the association is now working for the welfare of the police for ensuring an effective law and order system.
The Chief Minister also issued a stern warning against third-degree methods adopted by the police and corruption.