Concern over rise in attacks on police officers in Ernakulam

Recurring incidents of attacks on police personnel while on duty have triggered concerns within the force, prompting calls for stricter implementation of safety protocols and stronger legal action against offenders. At least five such incidents have been reported from different parts of Ernakulam district over the past three months, while police insiders say the number of unreported instances could be higher.

The extent of the personal risk involved in law enforcement was evident in the latest incident reported from the district, in which an assistant sub-inspector of the Ernakulam Town North station was allegedly knocked down by a car at Kaloor. The incident occurred when a police team reportedly attempted to intercept the vehicle during a night patrol on February 25.

Two days earlier, two youths were arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was on crowd control duty during the Sivaratri celebrations at Aluva Manappuram.

In January, a 23-year-old man from Njarackal was arrested for allegedly assaulting police personnel from the Infopark police station and damaging a police vehicle. He reportedly created a ruckus while being taken to a hospital for medical examination after being detained for allegedly causing public nuisance under the influence of alcohol.

In another incident, a sub-inspector of the State Special Branch attached to the Ernakulam Town North station was allegedly assaulted by a minor boy along Market Road near the Kaloor metro station on January 27.

Earlier, in December 2025, two young brothers from Varanad near Cherthala were booked for allegedly attacking a sub-inspector of the Ernakulam Town North station while under the influence of drugs.

Taking serious note of the back-to-back incidents, District Police Chief (Kochi City) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said safety protocols to deal with different scenarios were being intensified. “Protective gear has been made mandatory while dealing with anticipated law-and-order situations. Officers have also been instructed not to go alone to pick up a suspect. Vehicle checkpoints are being identified, and proper barricading will be ensured,” the officer said.

The Kerala Police Association (KPA) has been highlighting the issue in its recent district meetings across the State. “One of the key demands we have raised through resolutions is a stricter legal framework to protect police personnel from physical attacks and smear campaigns. Our long-pending demand to increase risk allowance has also become more relevant in recent times,” said Shiburaj K., district president, KPA (Kochi City).

Recent incidents in Thiruvananthapuram, in which a police officer was assaulted inside a mall by a group of alleged SFI workers and a police team was waylaid by alleged DYFI activists, have further highlighted the vulnerability of the police force at the State level.