Minister hints at police-mafia nexus

Kozhikode, July 30 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today accused certain police personnel of being lackadaisical towards hawala-mafia gangs, paving the way for their increased activities in the state.

Addressing a meeting of police officers from Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, he said proper attention was not being given by some personnel manning police stations, immediately after registration of complaints.

''Sub-Inspectors and Circle Inspectors should try to take action on complaints immediately,'' without referring it to the Government for action, he suggested.

Expressing his resolve to do away with hawala transactions in the state, the Minister said the Government would continue probe into the recent revelations made by Kodali Sreedharan, an arrested hawala extortionist.

Mr Balakrishnan said the Government had appointed IGP Winson M Paul to conduct a comprehensive probe into the multi-million Rupees racket in the state. Special attention would be given to Wayanad and Kozhikode districts, which have become their hub, he added.

Calling upon the officers to take stringent action against the mafia, he said the provisions of the recently promulgated Goonda Ordinance should be used to eliminate the menace.

He, however, said utmost care should be taken while enforcing the Ordinance to avoid its misuse.

UNI