The government seems to have gone slow on the rollout of a police commissionerate system for Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cities by empowering IPS officers with magisterial powers.
“The government does not have any haste in rolling out the commisionerate system. The issues are beyond giving magisterial powers and a decision will be taken after holding consultations with all concerned and after reaching a consensus,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the government had no plans to give the crucial powers sought by IPS officers.
Even if a police commissionerate was introduced with magisterial powers in the two cities, the government would not give the power to IPS officers to detain goondas under the KAAPA [Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act], he said.
“This power was even kept out of a list of powers that were to be transferred to police officers by the previous UDF government that had taken the policy decision to form the metropolitan system,” he said, hinting at apprehension raised by IAS officers.
Replying to an adjournment motion moved by V.T. Balaram (Congress) on the repercussions of the police commisionerate system and the “increasing indiscipline” in the Kerala Police, Mr. Vijayan said he had told the House earlier that the police had to be given more powers even while retaining these powers with the District Collectors.
Denies charge
The Chief Minister said the allegation of indiscipline in the Kerala Police was baseless and the force was working to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain law and order.
The Opposition later staged a walkout as Speaker denied permission for the adjournment motion based on the reply of the Chief Minister.