Kerala Police Tighten CM V.D. Satheesan's Security at Public Events

Kerala Police's Intelligence wing has instructed District Police Chiefs across the State to step up security for Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan at public functions and during his travels, flagging the risk posed by uncontrolled crowds that approach him closely.

In a confidential alert dated September 26, the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) warned that such situations could lead to serious security lapses, given that the Chief Minister falls under the highest security category in the State. The communication was issued from the State Special Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

District Police Chiefs have been told to ensure adequate deployment of personnel at venues the Chief Minister attends and along his travel routes. Alongside uniformed officers, police in plainclothes are to be posted to prevent untoward incidents and secure his safety, the order stated.

The alert noted that uncontrolled crowds, including journalists, have been approaching the Chief Minister as he arrives at public functions and getting close enough to make physical contact with him. District Police Chiefs have been asked to take the necessary precautions to prevent any untoward incident.

The instructions follow recent instances in which mediapersons were allegedly kept from approaching the Chief Minister at public engagements. Senior officials of the Kochi City Police reportedly stopped journalists from posing questions to Mr. Satheesan when he arrived for a function on September 26.

A similar situation arose in Idukki, where the Chief Minister is said to have directed police to move a group of mediapersons away after he emerged from a meeting with senior officials and department heads. The journalists had sought his response to contentious issues, including allegations concerning his recent chartered plane journey. Mr. Satheesan said people who had come to submit petitions were being inconvenienced in the commotion.