The Kerala police, which had come under attack recently for alleged high-handedness, played a key role in rescuing thousands of people affected by the devastating floods that has left 223 people dead in a fortnight.
More than 40,000 police personnel were deployed in the rain-hit areas across the state and they saved about 53,000 lives, state police chief Loknath Behra said today.
They also assisted defence personnel and volunteers in rescuing 10 lakh stranded people, he said.
Hailing the force, Behra said: "You deserve a big hand after all the hard work you have done as part of our rescue operations during the unprecedented floods in the state."
It may be recalled that the state police had come under attack due to some incidents after the CPI-M led LDF government came to power in 2016.
This included 'high-handedness' against a mother seeking justice for her son who had allegedly killed himself following harassment by college authorities; handling of a case connected with 'honour killing' and death of a man allegedly in custody at Varapuzha in Kochi.
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Behra said the state police also played a vital role in getting many people evacuated prior to the deluge.
"All police personnel have demonstrated the potential, strength and the camaraderie of the Kerala police," he said.
Some police personnel carried out their duty 24x7 even when their own houses were found submerged and family members helplessly stranded in water-logged areas, Behra said.
The police force had managed to secure about 400 boats, including fishing boats transported from the coast, to facilitate rescue operations.
They had also carried relief materials on their shoulders to take it to relief camps.
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