Remembering Kodiyeri Balakrishnan: The CPI(M) minister who reformed police machinery with radical reforms and initiatives

Kannur: Even as Kerala bids adieu to comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the CPI(M) stalwart who has been the backbone of the party for the past 20 years, the sixty-nine-year-old politician’s contributions towards police reforms and the jail department while at the helm of affairs was indeed remarkable.

It was during the tenure of the VS Achuthanandan-led LDF government, (2006-2011) where Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as the Home Minister, initiated reforms such as Student Police Cadet, Janamaithri Police (People friendly Police Force), the first official mobile phone connection (CUG) and also other reforms which had uplifted the dignity of the police department.

According to Jacob Punnoose, the former DGP of Kerala, Kodiyeri as home minister has made radical changes to police force that uplifted the morale, discipline and dignity of the force which had till then faced allegations of nepotism and high handedness when it comes cases where CPI(M) partymen were involved.

“From ensuring that the morale and the dignity of the forces are always held high, he had initiated a number of reforms during his tenure. Thousands of ex-service men were posted as home guards who had thereby assisting the police officials and the ordinary citizens. He also introduced the concept of virtual-queue system in Sabarimala so as to provide hassle-free darshan for the devotees', said the former DGP of Kerala.

Until 2006, police constables who retire from service even after 30 years of service do not have his/her designation upgraded. However, the timely interventions during the term of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan ensured that in 15 years, those eligible are upgraded as head constables and in 23 years, the constables are upgraded to ASI’s (Assistant Sub Inspector), said Jacob Punnoose.

As the minister-in-charge holding the police portfolio, Kodiyeri ensured that discipline within the forces is enforced where partymen interfering in high-profile cases are always kept in bay so as to ensure fairness in investigation, the former DGP remembered.

The reforms introduced to the jail department had ushered in a new culture wherein the prisoners who had completed their jail term had been released were given an option

Under his tenure, there were attempts to transfer the jail into a productive centre by generating revenue for the government. Production units, including the one to make chapati were started so that the prisoners can contribute productively while serving their jail term. The home department under Kodiyeri Balakrishnan ensured that a special rule that pertains to the appointment of employees was introduced and thereby striking down the ‘Special service rules’ that was in force from 1958 was revised.

KK Sadanandan, DYSP, Kannur remembered Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as the home minister who has made far reaching reforms in the functioning of the police.

'The Kerala Police Act, 2011 which was introduced by the then government has long lasting impact on the police department and its functioning. The Janamaithri police, Student Police Cadet etc are few among them. The measures introduced under the act enabled constables with a certain period of experience to upgrade their designation to a higher one, which was not possible until then. His death is a loss for the police force as a whole,'said KK Sadanandan.

Lakhs of people from across the state and all top political leaders of the CPI(M) paid homage to the CPM stalwart at the Thalasseri town hall where his mortal remains were kept for public homage.