The Kerala state Intelligence Department has sent out an alert to police higher-ups that too much politicisation of the Kerala Police Association has been hampering effective policing in the state.
Seeking initiatives from the director general of police (DGP) to check the unhealthy trend, the intelligence report observed that a high level of politicisation was evident during the recently held district-level police association meetings.
Along with the report, Intelligence ADGP T.K. Vinod Kumar handed over a letter highlighting the gravity of the situation to the DGP.
Martyrs' commemoration and politically-tilted sloganeering at the association’s annual conferences were in violation of the service rules. Inviting leaders of the ruling front, who do not hold any official position, to association meetings to deliver speeches would politically divide the force, the report warned.
At the Kerala Police Officers’ Association’s state conference held in Kottayam recently, 50 personnel exhibited their political leanings publicly by sitting as a separate block with red attires in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the DGP. They included five special branch officials entrusted with intelligence gathering, the report pointed out.
Of the total 28 conferences of the Kerala Police Officers Association, as many as 27 have been completed. The meeting of the association’s Kozhikode city committee has been postponed in view of the imposition of prohibitory orders banning public meetings within the city limits.
Martyrs' commemoration with floral tributes and sloganeering were part of most association meetings that were attended by prominent CPI(M) leaders. Former chief ministers came under scathing attack by speakers at the meets. Since the left-leaning association had the backing of the government, DGP Loknath Behera remained a mute spectator to the happenings.
The intelligence report was submitted ahead of the state conference of the police association scheduled to begin at Vadakara on Friday.
Police body dismisses charge
Meanwhile, Kerala Police Association (KPA) general secretary P.G. Anilkumar said that the association had no political affiliations and commemorative ceremonies were organised in connection with annual conferences to pay tributes to the officers who were martyred while on duty.
“Police officers might have had political leanings before joining the service. But once they become part of the force, they will be duty bound to protect the lives and property of citizens without any political tag attached to them,” he said.
He added that he was unaware of the intelligence report alleging high politicisation of the police force.
“If there was such a report, higher-ups would have issued a warning to their subordinates. The government or the department heads did not oppose programmes such as martyrs' commemoration held as part of the association’s conferences. The association raises funds only for the purpose of providing assistance to the families of deceased police personnel. The state meeting will also be held along the lines of the district conferences,” he added.
Logo becomes red
The blue logo of the police association, which had been in use since 1980, was painted red at some conferences in violation of the official norm. The logo, depicting a policeman in uniform holding a torch on one hand and a set of scales on the other, was designed by a former official attached to the Malabar special police. The board installed in front of the association’s main office was also painted red recently.