Police restrictions on Thrissur Pooram unsettle Kerala's left govt

Thiruvananthapuram: The rigorous intervention of state police into Kerala's largest cultural fest, Thrissur Pooram has incited a serious row in Kerala's political sphere when the state is going to polling booths on April 26th, The Indian Express reports.

In Thrissur, the police restrictions as part of crowd management on April 19 and 20 at the venue of the temple festival invited severe flak towards the state government. Adding to this, BJP candidate in Thrissur actor Suresh Gopi, intervening in the issue to conduct the renowned fireworks of the festival, has made the Congress criticise the ruling CPI(M) for giving BJP a chance to impress voters there.

The strong restrictions imposed by the police nearly caused the abandonment of a few events as part of the festival. Also, the display of fireworks, which was usually done at the small hours of the day, was conducted during daylight. The fireworks were at least allowed in the daylight, reportedly after the intervention of Suresh Gopi.

The unprecedented developments totally disappointed many of the Pooram fans, who crowded Thrissur, it is learned.

The opposition in the state Congress alleged that police under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan created a situation in which the BJP could intervene. Congress candidate from Thrissur, K Muraleedharan, said that it was unfortunate that Pooram was made a pawn for the hidden agenda of CPI(M) and BJP. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan slammed the Left government, saying that it allowed police intervention to create a situation that was conducive to the BJP.

However, following the police action at the Pooram, CM Vijayan directed the state police chief to transfer the Thrissur Police Commissioner Ankit Ashoka and Assistant Commissioner K Sudarsan. He said that the DGP has been asked to run a probe into the police actions and submit a report.