THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dealing a sharp blow to the Kerala government and law enforcement agencies, Governor P. Sathasivam said that “murders and clashes like the one which occurred in Kannur yesterday” were lowering the state’s image.
The Governor’s observation came at the most unlikely place and occasion: at the inauguration of the annual Nisagandhi Dance Festival in the state capital on Saturday evening. “While complimenting the state government for promoting art and culture by organising such cultural feasts, I would also suggest that such programmes be taken to violence-prone, volatile and sensitive areas too, since art has the capacity to ease tensions and to promote peace. Definitely, such cultural initiatives will help in preventing isolated incidents of violence, like the one which happened yesterday in Kannur in broad daylight,” he said.
Mr. Sathasivam said the incident had disturbed him a lot. “As we are aware, our state of Kerala, which has the best human development index, is also one of the least corrupt states, with a laudable law and order situation. In spite of such achievements, murders and clashes like the one which occurred in Kannur yesterday lower the image of the State,” he said, and called upon the various wings of the law enforcement agencies such as the police and intelligence to work a little extra with better coordination to prevent the occurrence of such incidents that disturb peace. “These agencies should work in tandem with the prosecution department and courts to ensure exemplary punishment for law breakers in a speedy manner,” he said.
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The Governor also urged the political leadership in the State ‘to sit together to persuade their cadres to choose the path of peace’.