State Police Chief K.S. Balasubramanian has said that there is no specific intelligence input on Maoist activity in the State. However, there is vague information on slight movement of the extremist elements along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
Addressing a Civil-Military Liaison Conference here on Friday, Mr. Balasubramanian said that Left extremism, as such, did not pose any threat to law and order anywhere in the State. In fact, the law and order situation is satisfactory, except for some sporadic incidents of violence, particularly in the northern parts of the State. These are mostly political, with only a few sparks of communal violence in some pockets.
Speaking to The Hindu later, Mr. Balasubramanian said the State police were trying to make their presence felt in possible Maoist locations, mostly in forest areas bordering Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. There has been some vague information on their movements here, and these are being verified constantly.
Intelligence sharing
Sharing of intelligence has been strengthened among the neighbouring States, he said adding that the police are not receiving intelligence inputs on deep-sea activities. Neither do they have the infrastructure to overcome this disability. Plans are on to recruit ex-service personnel with experience in this regard, he said adding the Navy has been asked to help in regular sharing of maritime intelligence.
Ex-servicemen
Earlier, inaugurating the conference, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the State would favourably consider issues concerning ex-servicemen and service personnel. Stating that exemption in age criterion, weightage mark, and reservation for ex-servicemen would be considered in select posts apart from strengthening the functioning of ex-servicemen’s grievance redressal cells, he said the Sainik Welfare Board should take up recruitment of kin of war heroes and those incapacitated during action to civilian posts in Defence establishments including the Canteen Stores Department (CSD).
The State would ensure land for expansion activities of Army units stationed here, including handing over of 10 acres at Muttathara or Vithura for rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. There are no hassles in handing over 70.40 acres near the Cochin international airport at Nedumbassery for the Coast Guard Air Enclave. The Army could prepare a consolidated list of land issues it faces, to be discussed in a separate meeting led by the Chief Secretary and the Collectors concerned, Mr. Chandy said.
Discussions will be held with private self-financing college managements to examine the possibility of reserved seats in MBBS, engineering, and other professional courses for dependents of Defence personnel.
Lieutenant General V.K. Pillai, General Officer Commanding (Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), said a fool-proof system was necessary to do away with the delay in the verification of Army recruits and to ensure that proper verification is done to ensure that no anti-national element gains entry into the forces. He requested the State’s help to tackle fake coaching centres and touts who are fleecing many promising them jobs in the Army.
Army officials requested consideration of membership to the Trivandrum Golf Club.
Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar chaired the conference. Major General K.S. Venugopal, GOC (Kerala and Karnataka Sub Area), was present.
