The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Supal’s arrest triggers noisy scenes in Assembly

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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Supal’s arrest triggers noisy scenes in Assembly

Special Correspondent

Opposition demands suspension of police officer who raided his residence

Inspector-General of Police Arun Kumar Sinha to probe the incident: Kodiyeri
Conduct of the police against Supreme Court guidelines: Karthikeyan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Assembly witnessed noisy scenes during the submission hour on Tuesday as Opposition members demanded the suspension of a police officer who raided the residence of former MLA P.S. Supal in the dead of the night to arrest him in connection with a political agitation in Punalur.

The issue was brought before the House by Communist Party of India (CPI) MLA K. Raju who said his party colleague, Mr. Supal, was hauled up from his bed by the police at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said such conduct on the part of the police was not in line with the government’s concept of propriety.

“There is no reason for a person like Mr. Supal to try to elude arrest (in connection with the case). The government will have the whole issue investigated by Thiruvananthapuram Inspector General of Police Arun Kumar Sinha. We will take action on receipt of his report,” Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said. At this juncture, Deputy leader of the Opposition G. Karthikeyan rose to speak on the issue.

But, Speaker K. Radhakrishnan was already calling for the next submission on the day’s list.

Several members of the Opposition immediately rushed into the well of the House demanding that Mr. Karthikeyan should be given an opportunity to speak.

The situation eased when the protesting members obeyed the Speaker’s request to go back to their seats and Mr. Karthikeyan was given the mike. Mr. Karthikeyan said the conduct of the police in Punalur was against the guidelines given by the Supreme Court in such circumstances.

In reply, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s position that action would be taken on the basis of the inquiry report.

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