Leaders of major Muslim organisations on Saturday complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about what they termed ‘anti-minority’ approach of a section of the police in the State.
At a meeting with the Chief Minister here, they alleged that a section of the force was behaving in a hostile manner towards members of the community while handling law and order issues.
They claimed that several community members had been illegally arrested in connection with the recent WhatsApp hartal call and remanded in judicial custody.
Some of the cases in which expatriates were held as accused too were brought to the attention of the Chief Minister. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were among those who criticised and aired concerns over the functioning of the police.
The Chief Minister said the issues would be addressed by the government at all possible levels.
At the same time, Mr. Vijayan justified the police action against those involved in organising the WhatsApp hartal.
“The action taken by the police helped in maintaining peace and prevented communal clashes,” he said. The Chief Minister claimed that those arrested had some role in the incidents and the police would verify it again.
Another grievance raised at the meet was the delay in getting permission for constructing new mosques.
