Thiruvananthapuram: The government has taken action against the police in the dispute between the officers of the Pettah police station and the DYFI leader. The government transferred the police personnel who fined the DYFI leader for driving without wearing a helmet and the policemen who stopped the DYFI workers who created ruckus in the Pettah police station in protest of charging fine.
Sub Inspectors (SI) M Abhilash, S Azeem and police driver M Mithun, who filed a petty case against the DYFI leader for not wearing a helmet, have been transferred. The commissioner ordered the transfer of the SIs from law and order to the district crime branch and the driver to the AR camp. Following this action of the government, the anger within the police is getting strong. Action taken under the pressure from CPI(M) district secretary V Joy MLA has evoked criticism. The allegation within the police is that the instructions of the CPI(M) leaders were being implemented without even listening to the police officers.
An investigation has been started in connection with the incident. Narcotics Assistant Commissioner Balakrishnan is heading the investigation. The complaint was that, during the inspection of the vehicle, the DYFI leader was assaulted by abusive language and the CPI(M) leaders were beaten up when they came to ask about this. It is suggested that the SIs remain in the crime branch till the above steps are completed and the report is submitted. Officials said they would check the surveillance camera footage of the police station on Thursday or Friday.
The incident happened at Pulayanar Kota, Thiruvananthapuram the day before. DYFI leader Nithin was fined for not wearing a helmet. This is where the dispute started. Nithin’s contention was that he was a member of the DYFI and as he was in a hurry to do something important, had come out without wearing helmet. But the officials asked him to pay the fine for the violation. They asked whether the law does not apply to the block secretary. Then Nithin got in a verbal fight with the policemen. With this, the police left without continuing the checking.
After this, the activists reached the station under the leadership of Pettah Local Committee Secretary K. Krishnakumar. Nithin’s complaint was that the SIs were abusive. This led to another altercation. An argument broke out between the activists and the police who tried to force into the station. Finally, the police waved lathis to disperse the activists. During this commotion, Nithin got thrashed with the lathi. Many CPI(M) activists gathered in front of the Pettah police station. District Secretary V Joy MLA also reached the place at 8 pm. V Joy stationed himself in front of the station saying that the same police officers who fined the DYFI member beat them up and that they will not return without taking action against the officers and that they will blockade the road if the higher officials do not come and give assurance to their demands.
DCP V Ajith came to know about the incident and reached the spot at 8:30. But while discussing with MLA and activists inside the station, DYFI leaders again threatened the SIs. When the police responded, the activists again pushed in front of the station and raised a ruckus.
Attempts to force their way into the station also led to a verbal altercation between the DYFI activists and the police. V Joy said that he will not back down without taking action against the law-abiding officers and shouted at the policemen several times. With this, the police authorities decided not to defend the SIs Abhilash and Aseem, who filed a petty case against the DYFI leader for not wearing a helmet.
City Police Commissioner CH Nagaraju convinced the CPI(M) members by assuring them that the police personnel in question will be removed from law and order duties. It was also decided to remove the police driver Mithun from his current post.
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