Government changed, but CPI-M still runs Home dept in Kerala: BJP

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 (AHN) Even though the government in Kerala has changed and a Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has taken charge as the state Home Minister, key decisions in the Home Department are still being taken by the police force and CPI-M criminals, alleged State Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Anoop Antony.

He said on Saturday that the latest evidence that Home Department continues to remain under the control of the CPI-M was the Onam celebration held at the Museum Police Station.

Providing accused persons in a case involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials an opportunity to participate in an Onam celebration inside a police station amounts to a challenge to the people of Kerala, he added.

The accused, including CPI-M leader I.P. Binu, participated in the Onam celebrations at the Museum Police Station.

"The fact that the doors of a police station are being opened to people accused in criminal cases is extremely serious," Antony said.

He alleged that the Station House Officer (SHO) himself had purchased Onam gifts, including traditional festive clothing, for those facing criminal cases.

Such a celebration was held with the knowledge of members of the Police Officers' Union and others, he claimed.

"If the Home Minister has a backbone, he should have the courage to remove from service the officers who opened the doors of the police station to criminals," Antony said.

He demanded that police stations should not be allowed to become venues for celebrations by CPI-M leaders and criminal gangs.

A comprehensive inquiry should be conducted into the incident and strict action taken against the officers responsible, the BJP leader added.

"If there is no change in the functioning of the Home Department even after the change in government, the responsibility rests with the Home Minister," Antony said.

He also urged the Home Minister to ensure the rule of law without bowing before CPI-M sympathising elements within the police force or criminal groups.