'Strong tear gas used, still feeling uncomfortable'; Shashi Tharoor lashes out at police brutality during KPCC protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: MP Shashi Tharoor strongly criticized the violent police action during the KPCC's march to the DGP's office on Saturday. Shashi Tharoor alleged that the police fired water cannons and tear gas without provocation when the opposition leader was speaking.

"It was a pre-planned attack on the part of the police. Everyone was forced to leave the venue after the police fired water cannons. The DGP has been told that the behaviour on the part of the police is unacceptable. He replied that he would investigate. The police provocation came while everyone was listening to the leader's speech.” Tharoor remarked.

“ I don’t know with whose instructions did police staged such brutality. This is a democracy and everyone should be given the right to protest. Congress while in power has allowed protests that were more ferocious than anything we are seeing now. However, this government is clamping down on protests for some reasons unknown. The tear gas used was so strong that we are still feeling uncomfortable.”

"MPs and MLAs who are victims of police brutality should file a complaint with the Privileges Committee. Action should be taken against the police who committed violence against democratic representatives. The letter will be given to the Speaker anyway." Shashi Tharoor also showed apprehension in the gradually deteriorating democratic rights in Kerala.