Vassalage in Police continues, despite CM's warnings

Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister's order to do away with the practice of deploying junior policemen and camp followers in the camp offices and residences of the senior IPS officers in the state for their personal service with immediate effect has not been paid heed to.

While a section of the state's IPS officers decide the matters, the camp followers who were awaiting justice strongly believing the Chief Minister's assurance, are in despair. The CM had assured the conveners of the Camp followers Association on June 20 that the issues would be resolved in a month.

However, the conveners allege that they are still subjected to vassalage in the homes of IPS officers despite being a month. There were also instances of registering fake cases against those who refused to do the job. According to them, the cases concerned are being considered by the administration tribunal.

There are four juniors deployed in the homes and camps of a youth IPS officer in Ernakulam while two deployed in the police club. Certain SPs in the Wayanad, Malappuram, Kottayam, Kannur and Thrissur districts also did not obey the orders of the state police chief.

The conveners allege that they were threatened with fabricated cases against them if they complained. In the backdrop of controversies, although certain IPS officers were willing to send back the camp followers and those appointed for 'other duties' with no proper documentation, all those were let free were called back when the assembly meetings concluded.

The Chief Minister had warned during the meeting of senior police officials held on June 26 that vassalage in police force would not be tolerated and that the changes being made in the name of work arrangement would be brought to an end. However, things remain the same even at police headquarters that prepared the list of those who worked without being enlisted.

About 200 officers work at the police headquarters even now under this work arrangement. About 9 persons including the SI who have been posted in the police headquarters from police telecommunication under work arrangement are still continuing in their posts under fake positions.

When Tomin J Thachankary was the AGDP at police headquarters, he had sent back many of them to their parent unit. But the order was frozen following severe pressure. Even after the incident involving the daughter of AGDP Suresh Kumar, there has been no decrease in the number of policemen deployed for personal services.

There are three female police officers for arranging security to the wife of an officer in DGP rank. Although the Chief Minister had directed the Intelligence Chief to prepare a list of political and religious/communal leaders and judges, the list was dropped following political pressure.