'Is police force trying to act like Action Hero Biju?' VD Satheesan lashes out at police force and govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "Is the police force trying to act like Action Hero Biju?" Opposition Leader VD Satheesan asked in the Assembly during an adjournment motion discussion on Tuesday. He even went on to ask when tender coconut and pepper spray were accepted as weapons of the police.

"Innocent ordinary people are being tortured inside police stations. A man, who pleaded that he was a cancer patient, was beaten on the leg with a cane. In Adoor, a DYFI area secretary was framed in a false case and beaten to death. Yet, the Left Front is justifying the police," Satheesan said.

"While the poor are brutally tortured in police custody, the accused in the T.P. murder case were escorted to a five-star hotel and even served liquor. The police, who are protecting criminals and murderers, are the same ones assaulting the poor and helpless. Didn't the Chief Minister know about these custodial tortures? He received complaints even in the DYFI worker's death in custody, but no action was taken. The CM, who did not take any action regarding the death of a DYFI worker in police custody, acted on the case where a Youth Congress leader was assaulted in custody. No action was taken regarding the incident where a CPM local secretary was slapped on the face by the police. If the intelligence agency is not reporting these to the Chief Minister, then that wing should be disbanded. If the CM is deliberately not taking action despite learning about these matters, then he should give up the Home portfolio," Satheesan said.

"The policemen who are guilty of the Kunnamkulam custodial torture should be dismissed from service. MLAs Saneesh Kumar and AKM Ashraf will stage an indefinite hunger strike until the officers are dismissed. We do not want the CM's prolonged speech, but action," Satheesan added.