Thiruvananthapuram:
A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Kerala is facing disciplinary action for his controversial tour to the Gulf states in April. The reason - he did not seek permission from the government.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan himself had taken personal interest in suspending the police officer. Many believe the officer faced action as he is considered to be a trusted lieutenant of Achuthanandan's rival Pinarayi Vijayan, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM's) state secretary.
"We take action when officers behave in a deviant manner. This is standard policy in every police department. This does not mean there is interference or partiality," Jacob Punnoose, Director General of Police (DGP), Kerala clarified the action against controversial IPS officer Tomin J Thachankary amidst allegations that it was politically-motivated.
Now, there is more trouble in store for the IPS officer as the Union Home Ministry has written to the Kerala Government, seeking disciplinary action for the unauthorised trip.
"The Chief Secretary will take necessary action based on the letter received from the Centre," Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan said.
Observers say it's a political battle being played out in a different turf altogether.
"Not only the police force, the entire state administration has been paralysed due to the vertical split within the ruling party," said Ramesh Chennithala, Congress President, Kerala.
As rival factions within the ruling party slug it out in the state, it's the police force that is being caught in the crossfire.
Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan himself had taken personal interest in suspending the police officer. Many believe the officer faced action as he is considered to be a trusted lieutenant of Achuthanandan's rival Pinarayi Vijayan, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM's) state secretary.
"We take action when officers behave in a deviant manner. This is standard policy in every police department. This does not mean there is interference or partiality," Jacob Punnoose, Director General of Police (DGP), Kerala clarified the action against controversial IPS officer Tomin J Thachankary amidst allegations that it was politically-motivated.
Now, there is more trouble in store for the IPS officer as the Union Home Ministry has written to the Kerala Government, seeking disciplinary action for the unauthorised trip.
"The Chief Secretary will take necessary action based on the letter received from the Centre," Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan said.
Observers say it's a political battle being played out in a different turf altogether.
"Not only the police force, the entire state administration has been paralysed due to the vertical split within the ruling party," said Ramesh Chennithala, Congress President, Kerala.
As rival factions within the ruling party slug it out in the state, it's the police force that is being caught in the crossfire.
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