The Hindu : Cry for effective policing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Cry for effective policing

By Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

PATHANAMTHITTA March 24. "Why does the UDF Government neglect the policing in Pathanamthitta district, many parts of which have become a haven for the liquor and sand mafias over the past few years,'' quips an elderly Congress man from Kozhencherry.

There are so many people, cutting across political lines, who criticise the police policy of the UDF Government, which they term `casual' or `negligent'.

Many Congress men feel that the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, and the UDF convener, Oommen Chandy, could have done a little `justice' to the otherwise peace-loving people of this district by ensuring some effective policing. The district had sent UDF nominees to the Assembly from seven out of the eight constituencies in the last general elections.

``But, why the Antony Government too has been keeping a Nelson's eye towards the ever extending tentacles of the mafia in many parts of the district for the past two years?''

``Whether it is the rule of the UDF or the LDF, quality policing has become a thing of the past here. The Government appears to have taken the district police authority here as one for a `peaceful' retirement. At least this is what the DSP postings in the district during the past three years indicate,'' alleges Joy Eapen, a former superintending engineer. Two DSPs had retired from service from here in the past three years, he adds.

With yet another change of guard at the district police headquarters in the offing, the people are now craving for the `mercy' of the Antony Government, that claims to have embarked on a mission to extend `free hand' to the law and order machinery, to ensure effective policing, especially in the backdrop of the fast expanding mafias in the Central Travancore belt.

The DSP, P. Sreenivasan, is to retire on March 31. Not less than three officers, who are on the verge of retirement, are in the race for the post. Certain officers have also been lobbying for the `retirement seat' with the backing of some social organisations and political leaders, it is learnt.

But, what apparently disturbs the people here is the fact that Mr. Antony and his DGP with a `determination' too have failed to do justice to them.

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