Government ignorance continues: CPO rank listers protest by shaving mustaches and eating grass

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after 12 days of strike, the government is turning its back on civil police officer rank list candidates who shaved off their mustache, ate grass. Only 3,019 people got appointments from the rank list of 13,975 people. The duration of the list is only 49 days and the dream of 10,956 candidates will be dashed. Many will also cross the age limit for police work.

It is alleged that the financial crisis has hindered the appointment. Despite the candidates kneeling on the scorching road in front of the secretariat, the government has not called for a discussion. The candidates allege that the government representatives are ignoring them even as they are marching ahead with the strike. The strike started on February 10. A petition was given to all ministers including the Chief Minister and 140 MLAs. 3000 complaints were lodged in the New Kerala Parliament but to no avail.

Rajesh, the convener of the strike committee, says that the various strikes were carried out for the sake of public knowledge. In the beginning, the slogan was just a call. But it was not noticed. Then the slogan was changed. It started as a protest rally. Then a begging strike was held. Then he carried the coffin and struggled. What followed was the struggle of crawling on the knees and kneeling on the salt rock. He protested by eating grass instead of food. Finally, the mustache was half shaved off. A number of people fell down during the struggle. But the strength of the struggle was increasing.

"There will be a strong struggle in the coming days. There will be many methods of struggle."

- Rajesh, CPO Samara Samithi