T’puram: The state govt has barred the deployment of private bouncers at official events, citing concerns over interference in security arrangements and public access.A circular issued by the home department on March 31 states that law-and-order duties as well as responsibility for the safety of participants at govt-organised programmes will rest solely with the police. The directive follows instances where privately hired bouncers — often engaged in the name of providing security to ‘VIPs’ and celebrities — have overstepped their brief, disrupting official duty and public movement.According to the govt, such personnel have, on multiple occasions, exhibited “excess authority and intrusion”, creating friction not just with the public but also with on-duty police and officials from other departments. The circular issued by the additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) has been circulated to all departments, the state police chief and department heads.The presence of bouncers, once largely confined to private functions, has in recent years become common even in govt programmes, particularly those involving political leaders and public figures. However, the directive also brings into focus a parallel concern — allegations of high-handed behaviour by the police themselves.Security personnel assigned to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan have, in recent months, faced serious accusations of misbehaving with members of the public and media under the guise of security enforcement. Complaints range from physical manhandling to excessive restrictions on access, raising questions about how security protocols are being implemented.A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the circular as unnecessary. “Issuing a circular on such matters is sheer impropriety. All that is required is for organisers to be properly advised to coordinate security arrangements. There are far more serious issues for the home department to focus on than issuing circulars like this,” the officer said.
