Kerala govt may limit Police Association activities

After West Bengal government mulling restricting trade union activities by state employees, the Kerala police authorities are examining the possibility of limiting the activities of Kerala Police Association (KPA).

The Kerala DGP Jacob Punnoose has issued a circular that limits the association activities to certain area.

“To begin with the DGP issued notification of control of activities, and soon there will be a move to suspend the KPA activities,” said a senior KPA official on condition of anonymity.

KPA had been in controversy from the beginning. The KPA was formed when K. Karunakaran was chief minister in ‘90s.

Till today, the left political forces and Congress party are directly and indirectly on the forefront to capture the organisation. The membership distribution, election, transfer and posting of members are just like in political organisations, though the KPA is doing some serious welfare activities for its members.

The latest incident which forced top police officers to think about a ban is the issue related to the placing of a flex board of Lok Sabha MP K.Sudhakaran in front of police stadium at Kannur.

On the eve of Republic Day, the district SP Anoop Kurivila John ordered to remove the board from the entrance. But some KPA members objected to it and the SP suspended the police constables leading to the controversy.

According to sources, senior Congress leader and Union Defense Minister A.K.Antony is also in favour of suspending KPA activities.

It is also alleged that state police officers had attended political meetings of different political parties and are engaged in political activities thereby violating service rules.