T’puram: Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleged a conspiracy behind procedural lapses by the police while taking right-wing political commentator T G Mohandas into custody in connection with alleged remarks he made in a YouTube video about the Jantar Mantar protest. Addressing a news conference at AKG Centre on Wednesday, he claimed that the police lapses appeared intentional as a force known for its competence could not have overlooked such procedural requirements unless instructed otherwise.“This must be part of a conspiracy,” he alleged. Vijayan described Mohandas’ remarks as heinous and unacceptable and alleged that they reflected the views of RSS, though the organisation had officially distanced itself from Mohandas and his statements.Vijayan accused state govt of failing to respond swiftly to rain-related devastation and flash floods in Ranni, Aranmula and parts of Kottayam. He said govt failed to make adequate rehabilitation arrangements and should follow the rescue and relief practices adopted by the previous LDF govt during emergencies.He rejected chief minister V D Satheesan’s claim that LDF govt had followed archaic rules requiring families of fishermen lost at sea to wait seven years for compensation. “Such conditions were repealed long ago based on the recommendations of a secretary-level committee. The LDF govt provided the highest compensation to victims of Cyclone Ockhi and it was disbursed without delay. I would like the CM to stick to facts while making public statements,” he said.He also alleged that govt had failed to seek timely assistance from central agencies to intensify its search for the missing fishermen. “Central agencies, including the Navy and the Army, never turned down our requests during an emergency. It is now being said that a state minister approached BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar to seek the help of central agencies. There was no need for an intermediary. The state govt could always seek such help directly,” he said.
