Thrissur Pooram Riots: A Case of Broken Promises – What Really Happened to the Investigation
Thrissur Pooram Riots: No Investigation Conducted, Says Police
Thiruvananthapuram: Despite Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s assurance of an investigation into the Thrissur Pooram riots, the police have revealed that no such investigation has been conducted.
The Chief Minister had announced the investigation five months ago, following allegations of police interference in the Pooram celebrations ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. However, the police have responded to an RTI query stating that no investigation has been conducted, nor has a complaint been lodged.
The Thrissur Pooram riots had sparked a major controversy, with allegations of police harassment and interference in the celebrations. The LDF candidate from Thrissur, VS Sunilkumar, had demanded the release of the police investigation report, while CPI state secretary Benoy Vishwa had alleged a conspiracy behind the messy Pooram.
ADGP Ajith Kumar, who was in charge of the investigation, had been accused of meeting RSS leaders. However, the Thrissur city police and the police headquarters have both responded that no investigation has been conducted, raising questions about the status of the investigation announced by the Chief Minister.
Political Controversy Surrounds Thrissur Pooram Riots
The Thrissur Pooram riots had taken place just before the Lok Sabha elections, sparking a major controversy. The police had been accused of harassing the people by blocking the procession of Thiruvambadi Bhagwati, chasing away the Poora lovers with lathis, and closing the Pooranagari barricade.
The Thiruvampadi Devaswom had been forced to stop the Pooram by abandoning Ezhunnallip and Panchavadya midway. All roads had been blocked, preventing those who had come to witness Rattipuram from entering the Swaraj Round. The fireworks display that was supposed to be held at 3 am had to be held 4 hours late in the daylight.
Following the riots, there were allegations that the Pooram had been rigged to gain an advantage for the BJP. The CPI had demanded a probe into the matter, and Ankit Ashoka had been removed from the post of the city police commissioner during the Thrissur Pooram riots.