Kerala Home Minister directs police to drop NEET protest cases
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government has decided to withdraw all police cases registered in connection with statewide protests held in solidarity with demonstrations in New Delhi over alleged NEET examination irregularities. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that he instructed the State Police Chief to halt further legal proceedings following representations submitted by Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, social activist Tushar Gandhi, and several prominent personalities. Chennithala noted that the protests involved routine law-and-order situations without serious violence or destruction, aligning with a constructive approach adopted by the Supreme Court on the issue.
Alongside the withdrawal of charges, the Home Minister announced that the Police and Prisons Departments have launched Operation Toofan, a coordinated statewide crackdown on narcotics inside state prisons. Early morning raids were initiated across jails following intelligence reports indicating drug consumption and trafficking among inmates. Expressing alarm over reports that narcotics are being supplied to students via online delivery channels, Chennithala referenced a recent incident in Kozhikode's Perambra involving three female teachers and a delivery worker. He warned delivery personnel against facilitating drug syndicates, pledged firm police action, and called for an immediate end to social media campaigns that promote drug trafficking.
Addressing the debate over the PM SHRI scheme, Chennithala criticized the previous Left Democratic Front administration for signing the agreement with the Union Government without securing Cabinet approval or informing its coalition partner, the CPI. He stated that the current government cannot unilaterally exit the pact as doing so would cost Kerala vital Central financial assistance. Instead, the state plans to negotiate with the Centre for greater flexibility regarding school selection and curriculum design. Chennithala also directed criticism at CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, questioning why he failed to raise objections when the agreement was originally signed and stating that the opposition cannot now shift responsibility onto the current leadership.
(Inputs from IANS)