Kerala CM VD Satheesan orders to scale down 92-member police security for Santhigiri visit

Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 92 police officers were initially deployed for security during Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's visit to Santhigiri Ashram. The large security contingent was assigned despite the Chief Minister's standing instruction that only minimum number of police personnel should accompany him during official journeys.

After noticing the extensive deployment, the Chief Minister's Office intervened, describing the security arrangement as excessive, and directed the police to reduce the number of personnel on duty.

Police had made elaborate security arrangements along the Chief Minister's route amid the possibility of protests by various political parties. The original deployment included 22 Sub-Inspectors, three Deputy Superintendents of Police, and around 50 plainclothes officers. Personnel from the Nedumangad, Attingal and Varkala police sub-divisions had also been assigned to the operation.

Following the intervention by the Chief Minister's Office, a revised order was issued, limiting the deployment to officers from the Nedumangad sub-division, where the event was being held.

The Chief Minister had earlier instructed that only a pilot vehicle should accompany him during official travel. However, citing security concerns, the police had also arranged an escort vehicle. He had further directed that his convoy should consist of no more than three vehicles.

The Chief Minister has also instructed that the practice of stopping the public and halting traffic along his route should be avoided. However, police officials often find it difficult to implement this directive due to security requirements.