THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a report on the incident where a Swedish national was insulted by the police in Kovalam while he was travelling carrying alcohol. Special Branch DySP will conduct a probe into the incident. Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas said that the incident was unfortunate. The minister, who said that the incident was against government policy, added that the concerned department would investigate the matter and take action.

"The attitude of the police towards tourists needs to change. Such incidents can tarnish the reputation of the government and cause a setback for tourism. This cannot be allowed," Riyas said. He also said that the matter has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. Grade SI Shaji of the Kovalam police station has been suspended following the incident.

The incident took place on Friday afternoon in Kovalam. Swedish tourist Stigf Stephen Asberg was stopped by the Kovalam police while he was returning to his hotel after buying three bottles of liquor from a beverage outlet. When the police asked him to show the bill, he replied that he did not have the bill with him. A verbal spat broke out between the tourist and the police after the police said that he will not be allowed to take the bottles without showing the bill. Following this, the foreigner emptied the liquor bottle on the roadside. He then returned to the beverage outlet, bought a bill and showed it to police before going to his hotel. The incident, which was captured on video by passersby, soon went viral on social media.