Manoj Abraham disbands parallel intelligence started by Ajith Kumar, directs officers to return to parent unit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Top officials of the police department are taking more steps to cut the wings of ADGP M R Ajith Kumar. The parallel intelligence system started by Ajith Kumar during his time as the law-and-order officer has been disbanded by Manoj Abraham, the new chief. The 40 officers in it have also been directed to return to their parent unit.

Ajith Kumar created the special system without the knowledge of the DGP. This was when the state and district special branches existed. This was one of the biggest allegations against Ajith Kumar.

Although the officers belonging to the parallel intelligence were appointed in the offices of the SPs and commissioners, they had no authority over them. Everything was under the direct control of Ajith Kumar. There were allegations that this system was to secretly monitor the government's political opponents and some tainted police officers. The police chief had also expressed strong protest to the government against the parallel intelligence.

The order removing Ajith Kumar from the law-and-order officer was issued early last month. Ajith Kumar was replaced by Manoj Abraham. The CPI, a major ally of the LDF, had asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to remove Ajith Kumar from the post. The pressure on the chief minister to remove the ADGP was intense following controversial issues such as the disruption of Pooram and his meeting with RSS leaders. The action was taken thereafter.

The meeting with the RSS leadership turned against the ADGP. The CPI was angered by his intervention in the Pooram issue and the subsequent defeat of V S Sunil Kumar in Thrissur. With this, the CPI stuck to their demand of removing Ajith Kumar from the post. CPI Secretary Binoy Viswam had repeatedly conveyed this to the chief minister in person. Meanwhile, P V Anwar also came forward with harsher allegations against Ajith Kumar.