Thiruvananthapuram: State Police Chief Lokanath Behera has expressed annoyance over the lapses on the part of police to deal sternly with the hartal supporters who resorted to violence in various districts on Thursday.

The SPC spoke to the district SPs through video conferencing. The state police chief had given strict directions to the district police to take elaborate measures for preventing violence on the hartal day. As part of the exercise, they were given instructions to prepare list of troublemakers in each district and take them into preventive custody.





Police sources said there was a clear plan to deal with violence on hartal day. However, it was not executed effectively on the ground.

At many places there was lapse on the part of the police to detain known troublemakers. According to reports reaching police headquarters here, many of these troublemakers were involved in violence.

Much of the violence could have been prevented had the police acted in time to nab these persons at least on the eve of the hartal. The police didn't give much emphasis on preventive detention.The SPC's displeasure comes in the wake of complaints of police negligence in some of the districts.

There were allegations that police remained mute spectators at various places as hartal supporters went on a rampage.

A section of traders alleged that despite seeking protection, the police failed to act in time resulting in damage to shops at various places.

The SPC has sought reports from district SPs on the violence that erupted in their respective areas.