With its swift move to transfer District Police Chief Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, the State government seems to have sent across a strong message to the Police Department that it will not tolerate any laxity on the part of any officer in dealing with mob violence.
Kozhikode city and its suburbs were among the worst-hit by the violent incidents during Thursday’s hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups. The government took note of the allegations raised by traders that the police had failed to take prompt action against those who attacked the shops and businesses on S.M. Street.
The government without haste replaced Mr. Kumar, who had been serving as District Police Chief since June 2017, with K. Sanjay Kumar Gurudin, currently Deputy Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters. This was despite his claim that his team had successfully handled the situation even as attempts were on to communalise the issue.
The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti alleged that the policemen deployed on S.M. Street had only tried to disperse the mob and had failed to arrest those who had attacked even the shops that remained shut. Besides, some of the miscreants nabbed from the spot were also released soon afterwards.
Incidentally, civil police officer Umesh Vallikkunnu alleged in his Facebook post that the District Police Chief had failed to foresee the attack on the street as well as deploy the required force.
Collector’s report
District Collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao’s report to the government had not mentioned the failure of the police in tackling the rioters. However, the Special Branch Police in its report had warned of the volatile situation after the entry of two young women to the Sabarimala temple and mentioned precautionary measures to be taken the next day.
During the dawn-to-dusk hartal last Thursday, protesters went on a rampage on the streets of the city and resorted to violence and vandalism.
The worst-hit were the shops on S.M. Street since some of the traders had decided to keep their shops open. The police registered about 70 cases.
