Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police Officers’ Association has come out against the suspension of a Grade SI in connection with the spill of foreign liquor in Kovalam. According to the association, Grade SI Shaji followed the instructions not to go to Kovalam beach with alcohol. Police have not asked the foreign national to abstain from alcohol. Did not go near or touch the foreigner. The organization also said that the suspension of an official who had only five months to retire was unjustifiable. Association leaders protested the incident to the Chief Minister’s Office and the DGP.
Meanwhile, Swedish citizen Steven Asberg came to the scene, rejecting the Police Officers’ Association argument. Steven told Asianet News that he bought the liquor for a friend, not for himself, and that he went to the hotel where the friend was staying, not the beach. He explained that he was stopped by the police at Kovalam junction. Steven said the police association’s argument on the issue is only to defend them.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister sought a report from the police on the incident where a foreigner was insulted by the police in Kovalam. The Tourism Minister criticized the police for not allowing a program that would trap the government. Swedish citizen Stephen Asberg, who was insulted, told Asianet News that he would have to stop running his home if such experiences were repeated.
Stephen Beverages, a Swedish national who runs a homestay in Vellar near Kovalam, was stopped by police while buying liquor. Steven was pouring alcohol when he was stopped by police for asking for the bill. The Chief Minister sought a report from the City Police Commissioner after the incident was reported by the government at the national level. The Special Branch also launched an investigation. The tourism minister had asked the chief minister to probe the insult to a foreigner.
‘മദ്യവുമായി ബീച്ചിലേക്കല്ല പോയത്’; പൊലീസ് അസോസിയേഷൻ വാദം തള്ളി സ്വീഡിഷ് പൗരൻ#kovalam #SISuspended #Keralapolice #Liqour #Swedishcitizen #asianetnews pic.twitter.com/7cYQWFxsaw
— Asianet News (@AsianetNewsML) January 1, 2022
Meanwhile, Stephen, who has been working in the tourism sector for four years, complains that he is constantly harassed by the police and locals. He did not know he had to keep the bill when he bought the liquor. Despite the police’s request, the liquor was not thrown away because it was a plastic bottle.
One can hold up to three liters of alcohol. If the liquor bottle has a hologram on it, the police will be able to identify where it was purchased, even if there is no bill. The police asked Stephen to give up alcohol without even preparing for such a test.
