Police brutality sparks heated exchange between Chief Minister and Opposition Leader in Assembly; Opposition begins satyagraha protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Opposition listed out multiple incidents of police brutality, including custodial torture, during an adjournment motion in the Assembly. In response, the ruling front countered by recalling incidents of police violence during the UDF regime. The debate turned into a heated war of words between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan.

The Chief Minister assured that strict action would be taken against erring police officers. However, Satheesan accused the CM of justifying police brutality.

Meanwhile, the Opposition began an indefinite satyagraha protest outside the Assembly, demanding the dismissal of police officers accused of custodial torture of Youth Congress leader Sujith in Kunnamkulam. Congress MLAs Saneesh Kumar Joseph and A.K.M. Ashraf (IUML) are leading the protest.

The discussion was based on an adjournment motion moved by Congress MLA Roji M. John, which Speaker A.N. Shamseer allowed. The debate lasted from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The Chief Minister informed the House that a Sub-Inspector and four CPOs had been suspended in the Kunnamkulam case. Earlier, they had faced disciplinary action, including a two-year bar on their pay hike. The CM said the punishment would be reviewed and further steps taken if necessary. Satheesan retorted that if intelligence fails to report custodial torture, the wing should be disbanded, and if the CM is deliberately ignoring such cases, he should give up the Home portfolio.

War of words between CM and Opposition Leader This is not Stalin's Russia: VD Satheesan 1. This is not Stalin’s Russia, where political opponents were eliminated. This is democratic Kerala. If the CM tries to imitate Stalin, he will be questioned.” 2. Police are shamelessly justifying beating up ordinary people. Now, tender coconut and pepper spray have become their weapons. Are the police trying to act like Action Hero Biju? 3. The same CM who ignored the custodial death of a DYFI leader is now quick to act when a Youth Congress leader is assaulted. 4. Even after torture cases are reported, the CM refuses to answer the public. Has any Chief Minister in Kerala’s history remained this silent? 5. Kerala Police once rivalled Scotland Yard. That reputation has been destroyed. Would such incidents have happened if a Congress leader were in your (CM’s) chair?

You are not living in Stalin's Russia: CM 1. Since childhood, I have not lived in Stalin’s Russia but under Nehru’s Congress rule, where I myself faced violence. 2. Back then, Communists were brutally hunted down, beaten and harassed with the help of police and hired goons. Things changed only after the Left government came to power in 1957. 3. For the UDF, the police meant a force to beat, torture, and shoot people. That is not our approach. We have tried to make the police more people-friendly. 4. Wherever violence happens, there will be no protection. Strict action will be taken. Can the entire police force be condemned for the mistake of a few individuals? 5. The police are progressing with reforms. If some officers commit wrongs, the government has no obligation to protect them.