At a time when the police are facing severe criticism over the recent incident of custodial torture and political murders, the ADGP Intelligence in a report said that extensive political interference has damaged the image of the police.

ADGP TK Vinod Kumar recently submitted a report to DGP Loknath Behera where he said that the political polarisation in the state police is very evident now which is damaging the force. “The police force is under political influence, which is crippling. The polarisation is visible in conducting police association conferences. At the conference, columns were erected, slogans were shouted just like that of political parties,” report says.

“Such acts would affect the image of the force. Remembering martyrs and sloganeering at the meetings should be avoided,” the report says, suggesting that immediate action be taken to stop such activities.  

In the recently held conferences of the Kerala Police Association, slogans were shouted saluting martyrs. But the Association office-bearers explained it by saying that they were  saluting the martyrs among the police and not that of any political parties. 

At the State Conference of the Police Officers Association, 15 officers came wearing red shirts which caused some consternation, as it was seen as an act of showing affinity towards the CPI(M), the ruling party in the state.

Read: Did Kerala cops offer salute to Left martyrs during a conference? Officers deny

Based on the contents of the report, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president MM Hassan were quick to pounce on the government. “The police force has completely been politicised which is the prime reason for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state,” Chennithala said. 

KPCC president MM Hassan said, “The polarisation in the police force has led to collapse of law and order in the state.”