Police restrict media questions to Kerala CM Satheesan in Kochi citing security
Kochi city police on Saturday allegedly prevented journalists from asking questions to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan during an event at a convention centre in Kaloor. Peter K.J., Assistant Commissioner of Ernakulam subdivision, restricted media access citing security reasons. In a video aired on television channels, the officer stated that the Chief Minister holds Z-Plus security category status.
When repeatedly queried by reporters about whether he had received instructions to prevent journalists from questioning the Chief Minister, the officer did not provide a clear answer. "I spoke only from a security aspect. I didn't get angry at you," the ACP said in the video. The incident occurred as journalists waited for the Chief Minister's arrival at the event.
The restriction came a day after Mr. Satheesan declined to respond to media questions at an official meeting in Thodupuzha on Friday, telling reporters to "move aside." The Chief Minister had alleged that reporters were causing inconvenience to the public who had come to hand over petitions. The earlier incident involved journalists seeking answers about allegations regarding money from former CMRL Managing Director S. Sasidharan Kartha and a chartered flight controversy to flood-hit Malappuram.
