Express News Service
KOZHIKODE: Human rights activists, social employees, members of political events and mediapersons have alleged that they’re being harassed within the identify of ‘Operation Kaval’ that was launched by the Kerala police towards goons and anti-socials.
Just a few activists have complained that they obtained calls from police stations underneath Kozhikode rural district asking for his or her Aadhaar particulars and handle. Police visited the houses of others looking for particulars.
“I got a call from Thamarassery police station asking for my address and details. When I asked the reasons, the person said it is for verification. I told him that there is no case against me. The person said the call is part of Operation Kaval,” mentioned Shafeeq Thamarassey, who’s a journalist with a distinguished on-line information portal.
“When I pointed out that Operation Kaval is against goons, he replied that I had participated in some agitations including the one at Plachimada. He threatened to take me into custody when I refused to divulge the details,” Shafeeq mentioned.
Naseera Neloth, who’s a analysis scholar on the Calicut University, additionally obtained a name every week in the past from the Perambra police station. “The person asked for my Aadhaar details. He said the call is part of preparing the goonda list,” he mentioned.
“The police changed their stance the next day after the intervention of Vadakara MLA K K Rema. They later told me that it was to prepare ‘another list,” Naseera mentioned.
Those who’ve been referred to as by the police embrace employees of the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) and CPI-ML (Red Star). “Policemen came to my house at Orkkatteri asking for my details. I was not there so they contacted over phone. I don’t have a single case against me till now,” mentioned Sherly Das, a member of CPI-ML (Red Star).
Activists imagine that the preparation of the listing is step one in direction of a crackdown on the attainable agitations towards the proposed Okay Rail challenge. The authorities and the CPM are actively campaigning for the challenge.
Vadakara MLA and RMP chief Okay Okay Rema, who has intervened within the problem, mentioned it is just a dream that opposition towards the Okay-Rail challenge could be suppressed by arresting a couple of activists. “A large number of people will be in the forefront of the agitation,” she mentioned.
The police, nonetheless, mentioned the inclusion of the social activists may very well be a mistake. “Operation Kaval is against anti-social elements that are creating problems in society. Possible trouble-makers, including ‘quotation gangs,’ will be kept under surveillance,” mentioned a senior police officer in Kozhikode rural.
