By TCN News,
Kozhikode: Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar will probe into the Kozhikode police firing incident, informed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the Kerala Assembly. Meanwhile, DGP Jacob Punnoose submitted his report regarding the incident before the CM.
The Chief Minister reportedly said that action would be taken on the matter after getting the report of the Additional Chief Secretary. The government has already got the report of the DGP, but it prefers to get a report from somebody outside the police force also, he added. The CM was replying to the submission of former Home Minister and CPI (M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
The problems took place in Kozhikode on October 10, Monday, when police fired at the students who were protesting under the banner of the SFI against the admission of a student in the Kozhikode Government Engineering College. The student named Nirmal Madhav was earlier studying in a self-financing engineering college, and was then given admission in the Kozhikode Govt Engineering College even though his rank was reportedly low. The SFI’s protest against it outside the college turned violent and the police resorted to breaking tear gas shells, grenades, lathi-charge and then firing. Several students and policemen were injured, including SFI state secretary P Biju. Assistant Police Commissioner K Radhakrishna Pilla reportedly fired at the students, though no student was injured in the firing.
The bloody turn of events created protests all over the state, with the SFI organizing protest programmes in different districts on Tuesday, several of which also turned violent and many were arrested. All these created uproar in the Kerala Assembly also, which was dispersed once as the Speaker refused permission for an emergency discussion after the CM gave an explanation on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Govt Engineering College has been shut down indefinitely following the incidents. The Chief Minister has taken all responsibility for the admission of Nirmal Madhav and condemned the police firing. News has also come out that the Executive Magistrate had not given orders or permission for firing which puts the blame on the Assistant Commissioner himself.
The State Human Rights Commission opined that the firing in Kozhikode was unnecessary and cruel. Primary inquiry has been carried out and more inquiry into the matter would be conducted after getting the report of the police and the Collector, said Commission member KE Gangadharan.