CM issues warning against 'private armies'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 3. The Chief Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony, today said that there was no place for `private armies' in the State and his Government would crack down on criminal elements irrespective of the clout and political leanings of those who patronise them.

Inaugurating the new office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) here, Mr. Antony urged men in public life, politics and trade unions not to give succour and sustenance to goonda elements. "We do not want Kerala to become a Mumbai or Bihar where the writ of ganglords prevails over the rule of law", he said. The Chief Minister added that he was aware of certain quarters harbouring muscle men to push their narrow and vested agendas at the cost and expense of public peace. "In my tenure, such tendencies would not be brooked", he added.

The police should give a fair hearing to all, particularly people's representatives. But their decisions and actions should be in accordance with the law. "Give them (people's representatives) a patient ear. Buy them a cup of tea, if you have money. But when it comes to taking a decision, there should be no fear or favour. Police should only be the servant of law. And my Government would protect honest officers who come under duress or pressure for taking right decisions in accordance with the law", he said.

However, this did not mean that the police have to pursue a policy of isolation for enforcing law. When it comes to taking decisions which have a direct bearing on public life, the police should consult all parties concerned. For instance, there is no justification in bringing about unilateral changes in traffic matters without consulting the representatives of affected parties. The police should not lock themselves up in ivory towers.

The public relations of the police should improve. There should be better interaction between the police and local bodies. Even today, people are afraid to approach the police without the help of an influential intermediary. This situation has to change for the better.

The Chief Minister also called upon the public to develop a better civic sense and respect for law. The U.S. President, Mr. George Bush's daughter was fined by the police for drunken driving. The police officer who booked the President's daughter for drunken driving did his job fearlessly. Would such a thing be tolerated or applauded in Kerala where the rich and influential demand preferential treatment from the police, Mr. Antony asked. `In Kerala, an influential person would take a police constable's request to move his car as an affront to his ego', he pointed out.

The Chief Minister said that the police should launch an awareness campaign to reduce traffic offences such as drunken driving and overspeeding. The cooperation of the media and the public should be ensured. Mr. Antony said that police should give more accent on creating awareness against overspeeding and drunken driving rather than harassing those who are booked on such charges.

Mr. Antony said that in the coming years, Kerala police would emerge as the best equipped and most modernised police force in the country. Human resources and infrastructure of the force was being improved. The accent was on improving the quality of police training, investigation, intelligence gathering, maintaining law and managing traffic.

The Government would also give priority to welfare of policemen, including better job conditions and housing. The DGP, Mr. R. Padmanabhan, presided. The Mayor, Professor. J. Chandra, Mr. Sivakumar, MP, Mr. Mohan Kumar, MLA, Mr. Pattom Sreekumar, Councillor, Mr. Moosahari (ADGP), Mr. Alphonse Louis Erayil (ADGP), Mr. V. R. Rajeevan (IG-South Zone), Mr. A. Hemachandran (DIG-Thiruvananthapuram Range) and Mr. Rajan Singh (Commissioner) were among those present.

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Section  : Southern States
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