KANNUR: Senior CPM leader P Jayarajan has said that the appointment of Ravada Chandrasekhar as the state police chief was based purely on merit. He clarified that the selection should not be viewed through a political lens and that the government made the decision after considering the recommendations it received. Jayarajan added that it is up to the government to explain the decision if needed.

"Politically speaking, several police officers have, at different times, taken actions that were opposed by the CPM, left-wing movements, and affiliated groups. Officials such as Ravada and others had faced criticism for their roles in the Koothuparamba firing incident. He was not acting alone. The lathi charge and firing were the result of a joint operation. The situation escalated after then-Minister M.V. Raghavan arrived in Koothuparamba from Kannur, accompanied by DySP Hakkim from Bathery. This led to tensions and eventually police firing. Ravada Chandrasekhar was among the officers present during the operation," Jayarajan explained.

Jayarajan also addressed the party's objection to the consideration of Nithin Agarwal for the DGP post. He said that Agarwal was an accused in a custodial assault case involving M. Sukumaran, who now serves as the CPM’s Koothuparamba area secretary. “Sukumaran had filed a complaint against him, and at that time, the CPM and other organisations took strong action against such misconduct,” he said.