Oppn alleges `breakdown of law and order’ in Kerala

Later, talking to newspersons here, Sankaranarayanan said they had convinced the Governor about the present situation in the state.

Asked whether the Opposition anticipated any action against the government, he said action should be taken, but the UDF had not demanded the dismissal of the government. It was up to the Governor to take appropriate remedial measures.

He alleged that the police department had been deprived of its freedom and made subservient to the whims and policies of the ruling CPI (M) through favours and threats. "Under such a situation, the Marxists openly flout the law and resort to violence in order to achieve their goals."

The memorandum said the police used double standards in dealing with law and order. They were afraid to take action when the law breakers were Marxists. Non-Marxists were unnecessarily harassed, tortured and victimised. In cases where Marxist culprits were arrested by some police officers, CPI (M) activists trespassed into the police station, attacked the police and forcibly released the accused from custody. There had been several instances of such attacks on the police by "Marxist goondas" inside and outside the stations to rescue culprits, it charged.

The memorandum said, “It is a matter of great concern that the government and the police have no respect for court orders.” The latest example of flagrant violation of the High Court order was in the Kollam Sree Narayana College issue. SFI activists barged into the principal’s room on February 1 and forcibly confined him for 12 hours without allowing him to even drink water.

Several incidents had followed the SN college episode. Police also resorted to brutal lathi charge on party activists who were protesting against the manner in which SFI activists forced the principal to sign the agreement, it said.

Even holy shrines and places of worship had become targets of vandalism. Several statues of saint-philosopher Sree Narayana Guru and churches were destroyed. The accused in these cases had not been arrested. The above incidents had deeply hurt the religious feelings of the people and posed a threat to the freedom of faith and religion, the memorandum charged.