Kerala CM expresses concern over 'propaganda' against state

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today expressed concern over the state's depiction as a "trouble-torn" region and called for coordinated efforts of all the political parties to put an end to violence.

Talking to reporters after an all-party meeting, convened to discuss the political situation in the aftermath of the recent killing of an RSS worker here, he said the "propaganda" that Kerala was a trouble-torn state would adversely impact the its investment prospects.

Leaders of all the major political parties, including the ruling CPI(M), opposition Congress and BJP participated in the meeting and extended total support to the government's peace initiatives.

"The propaganda that Kerala is a trouble-torn state is a matter of concern. Such a false propaganda will adversely impact its investment and development prospects," said Vijayan.

The chief minister also said that the incidents of political violence in the state should come to an end.

Earlier, the all-party meeting observed that the social media played a key role in spreading violence and tension in the state.

It was also decided to see criminals as criminals, irrespective of their party affiliations.

Leaders of the political parties should also go to those places, from where the incidents of violence were reported, to create an environment of peace, the meeting said, adding that the police should take more stringent action in such cases.

CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, party MLA O Rajagopal, opposition leader in the state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala Congress president M M Hassan attended the all-party meeting.

The state government decided to convene the meeting after Governor P Sathasivam summoned the chief minister on July 30 and asked him to hold it to restore peace in the state, in view of a series of incidents of violence and the killing of the RSS functionary here on July 29.