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Kerala IG sets off storm with interpretation of shoot orders

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

A senior police officer's interpretation that policemen are not required to carry out the 'illegal' orders of their higher-ups has created a knotty situation in Kerala.

The controversial statement was made by Northern Range inspector general Jacob Punnose in the wake of murder cases registered against six police officials in connection with the Koothuparamba police firing during the previous United Democratic Front.

The IG said he wanted the police officials to judge the legality of the order before carrying it out.

Police and political circles, however, say the statement has the potential to create anarchy in the police force. The junior police officers are apparently confused over how to judge the correctness of an order in an emergency situation, and such dilemma could create serious operational problems for ordinary policemen, said a senior officer in Thiruvananthapuram.

Policemen are already up in arms against senior officers for washing their hands of controversial cases, and putting the blame on junior officials in the field. "If the government seeks to penalise the policemen for carrying out the order of an executive magistrate, they would shy away from controversial actions," pointed out a Kerala Police Association leader.

The Koothuparamba incident had assumed political significance in Kerala because Communist Party of India-Marxist rebel and former cooperation minister in the UDF ministry, M V Raghavan was involved in it. He is the first accused in the incident, which led to the death of five Democratic Youth Federation of India workers.

The situation leading to the police firing followed alleged attempts by the minister to capture a prestigious co-operative hospital at Kannur in late 1994 with the blessings of the then chief minister K Karunakaran.

Raghavan had become an object of hatred for Marxists after he formed his own party and joined hands with the Congress-led UDF following his expulsion from the CPI-M. His last ministerial term had seen CPI-M workers virtually blocking him from attending public functions, forcing him to complain to the Election Commission that it amounted to violation of his democratic right to involve in political activities.

Rahavan felt the fresh inquiry into the case was made with a view to trap him. He said the policemen involved in the case were made scapegoats by the government, and that if action is initiated against them for carrying out the orders of seniors, they will not carry out orders when an emergency arose.

Karunakaran said the case would demoralise the police force and drive them on the war-path. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said the IG deserved to be punished for making such an irresponsible statement, which amounted to contempt of court.

The policemen's associations have also taken a serious view of the development. The Police Welfare Association and the Kerala Police Association have already joined issue with the IG by questioning his controversial interpretation. The former has even issued a statement asking him some tough questions.

The KPA has also announced its decision to extend legal aid to the policemen involved in the incident.

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