THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CM Pinarayi Vijayan instructed a high-level meeting to deal with those forces that are trying to ‘create unrest and division among citizens in society, with an iron hand’.
In the wake of the ongoing controversy over narcotic jihad, while addressing a meeting of top officials on Thursday –chief secretary VP Joy, additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) TK Jose, state police chief Anil Kant, ADGP (HQ) Manoj Abraham, ADGP (intelligence) TK Vinod Kumar and ADGP (law and order) Vijay Sakhare– he said that there is a deliberate attempt from some corners to ruin the secular credentials of state. Such moves should be dealt with, firmly, he said.
Vijayan instructed them to keep a close watch on those who are also using social media to spread such venomous campaigns and create a communal divide. The chief minister’s instructions have come in the wake of allegations of narcotic jihad – a term used initially by Pala bishop Joseph Kallarangatt – that quickly snowballed into a major controversy after BJP and the Congress reacted to it.
While BJP supported the statements of the bishop and even met him offering support, Congress said that the government remained a mute spectator while BJP was trying to use it for political mileage. The CM had clarified that he doesn’t support tagging of religious symbols to narcotics and that the narcotic mafia, as a whole, should be seen as a threat to society.
