Kerala BJP leader wants AFSPA imposed in Kannur
Synopsis
A BJP leader from Kerala wants the centre to deploy military in Kannur and to impose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The act remains controversial as it provides legal cover to the armed forces to search properties without a warrant and to arrest people.
In an apparent bid to put the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) under pressure, a BJP leader from Kerala has demanded the imposition of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Kannur, the trouble-torn district infamous for political violence.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP leader TG Mohandas urged the Centre to impose the AFSPA to contain the ongoing violence and alleged terror activities in the district. Already reeling under political violence, Kannur is turning out to be a hub of anti-national and terrorist activities as well, he said.
Also read: Blood-curdling history of Kannur's political factionalism
Blaming the Left government in the state for its failure to maintain the law and order of the district, Mohandas pointed out 11 fake currency haul cases have been registered in the district in the past three months alone. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) had confirmed the operation of terror modules in the district, he said
"Kannur tops the list of cases of political murders last year in the national level according to National Crime Records Bureau. With the CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the leader of the biggest party in the ruling coalition, openly advocating violence, the centre need not hesitate in deploying central military or paramilitary force in Kannur to maintain law and order. The military should be given powers under AFSPA to keep things in order," Mohandas stated.