THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move that could pave way for a proper probe into the allegation of sabotaging Thrissur Pooram, the Home Secretary has recommended Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to conduct a full-fledged inquiry to ascertain what went wrong during the much-acclaimed festival.
Home Secretary Bishwanath Sinha gave his opinion after perusing the report filed by ADGP M R Ajith Kumar that was handed over to the government by State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb on Tuesday. Shaik too had suggested a detailed probe into the Pooram fiasco in a cover letter submitted alongside Ajith’s report. The Police Chief had mentioned that there was a delay in the ADGP filing his report and its content suggested a further probe.
If concurring with the recommendations of the Home Secretary and the Police Chief, the government has three options to probe the matter. It can hand over the case to a Special Team, or the CBI or constitute a Judicial inquiry commission. The UDF has already demanded constituting a judicial commission to probe the allegation that the Pooram was disrupted to help the BJP fetch electoral dividends in the Lok Sabha polls.
The report filed by Ajith had reportedly ruled out the allegation that a concerted effort was made to disrupt the Pooram. The report placed the full onus of the fiasco on then Thrissur City Commissioner Ankit Asokan citing his inexperience. The State Police Chief in his cover letter, however, pushed for a comprehensive probe citing that the ADGP’s report had mentioned efforts made by some quarters to create hurdles in the smooth conduct of the Pooram.
The ADGP’s report had triggered a fresh controversy after it was criticised that the conspiracy angle was overlooked during the inquiry. The UDF and CPM-backed MLA P V Anvar had alleged that the Pooram was sabotaged to help the BJP make electoral gains in the Lok Sabha polls and the ADGP was the architect behind the plan.
The police had earlier suspended the police state information officer, who gave a reply to an RTI query that the Police Headquarters had no information about such an inquiry on Thrissur Pooram disruption. This reply had pushed the government on a backfoot following which the CM answered that an inquiry was conducted and the report would be filed on September 24.
'ADGP disrupted Pooram with CM’s knowledge'
T’Puram: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan accused ADGP M R Ajith Kumar of disrupting Thrissur Pooram with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's knowledge, reiterating the Congress' call for a judicial inquiry. "The ADGP acted with the CM's knowledge, replacing the original plan set by the then Thrissur commissioner to sabotage the event," Satheesan said in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.
Govt seeks more time to file counter affidavit
Kochi: The state government on Thursday sought three weeks more time to file a counter affidavit in response to a petition alleging excessive use of force by the police and illegal restrictions imposed by former Thrissur district police chief Ankit Asokan during the Thrissur Pooram held on April 19 and 20. This is the second time the government has sought more time to file an affidavit.
