Thiruvananthapuram: DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar on Thursday said there was no security lapse in connection with the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials who had arrived to conduct a raid at the residence of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan. He was speaking to the media after a meeting with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The DGP said the Home Minister had directed that strict action be taken in the incident and that the police would proceed accordingly. He also said the police had not received prior information regarding the central agency’s raid, but adequate personnel were deployed immediately after they came to know about it.

“The ED raid was conducted on the instructions of the central government. The police came to know about it only after the raid had begun. We immediately deployed sufficient police personnel. More than 300 police officers were deployed at various places where protests were taking place. Around 50 police personnel were present at the spot where yesterday’s attack occurred,” the DGP said.

The attack on ED officials took place after they came out following an eight-hour-long raid. At the time they exited, police personnel were seen standing aside. Visuals also showed police officers moving away while the vehicles were being attacked. The footage further indicated that police did not intervene even to restrain those involved in the violence.

When questioned about the issue earlier, the ADGP had reportedly suggested there had been a security lapse. However, DGP Ravada Chandrasekhar on Thursday firmly rejected that claim, reiterating that there had been no lapse and that adequate police deployment had been ensured at all raid locations.

“Eight accused were arrested yesterday itself in connection with the incident. The remaining accused will also be arrested soon after examining the visuals of the attack. The investigation is progressing. We will also examine whether there was any lapse on the part of the police, and if such lapses are found, action will be taken against those responsible,” the DGP added.