Opp. slams govt over political violence remark

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 31: The CPI( M)- led LDF government in Kerala on Sunday said the number of cases connected with political violence has come down in 2017, a claim disputed by Opposition Congress and BJP in the state.

Quoting statistics, a statement from the office of CM Pinarayi Vijayan said cases connected with political clashes in 2017 was 1,463 which was 211 lesser than the previous year.

This was following effective administrative and political steps taken by the government along with peace initiatives of CM, the statement said.

Slamming the government on the issue, Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the statistics put out by the government was to mislead the people.

“Political clashes and murders were much more than the figures give by the government”, he said.

There was a total breakdown of law and order in the state, he alleged and said “police in the state has become a mere spectator.” “The police were also not given freedom to function due to political interference,” he said. Mr Chennithala said that a total of 20 political killings have occurred during the year.

Countering the government position, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said it was not based on statistics one should evaluate the law and order situation.

“The number of political killings was more during the year than last year. A total of 13 BJPRSS workers were killed in the attack by CPI( M) during the year,” Mr Rajasekharan said.

As per National Crime Bureau statistics, the overall crime rate in the state was higher compared to other states during the year, he said, adding, “the law and order was at its worst in the year.”

“The intensity of the crime has also gone up during the year,” he claimed.