THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Director-General of Police Jacob Punnoose said that he suspected that the second riots which broke out at Cheriyathura in May 2009 resulting in police firing, was a planned action. The DGP was giving his statement on Saturday before the Judicial Inquiry Commission probing the riot and subsequent police firing. The DGP stated that following the riot, which broke out on May 16, the police and district administration officials had camped in the area and brought the situation under control after holding talks with the representatives of both communities. But the riot broke out again the next day afternoon which forced the police to open fire on the agitators, resulting in the death of five persons. The way the riot suddenly broke out and the substances used by the rioters hinted that the riot was pre-planned, he said.Taking into account the sensitive nature of the coastal areas in the state, a decision had been taken to open new coastal police stations with the aid from Central Government. It was also decided to install surveillance cameras in Beemapally region as the place is an important religious centre. The place is also a thriving centre of illegal activities such as sales of pirated CDs and foreign goods as well as in illegal foreign currency exchange, he said. The DGP said that had the religious heads of both the communities in Beemapally and Cheriyathura put in honest efforts, the riot could have been averted. During cross-examination, Jacob Punnoose said that the confidential report from Central Intelligence Bureau addressed to the DGP and Home Secretary recommending reinforced surveillance in Beemapally and Malappuram areas on account of a possible law and order problems, was not leaked from his office.
Comments
0 comment