New Delhi: The Kerala government has banned the deployment of private bouncers at official events in the state. The move has been taken by raising concerns over interference in security arrangements and public access.

The state government issued a circular on March 31, stating that the police will solely handle the law and order as well as the responsibility for the safety of individuals at government-organised programmes.

Earlier, privately hired bouncers were engaged in providing security to VIPs and celebrities, who had overstepped their brief, disrupting official duty and public movement.

According to the state government, the bouncers often overstepped their roles, prompting concerns over coordination and public access at events. The government has been directing the circulation to every department and law enforcement authority across the state.

However, the move has also sparked debate, with some officials arguing that better coordination, rather than a ban, would have been sufficient.

Earlier, the bouncers were largely confined to private functions, but over time, it became common even in government events, especially in programmes of political leaders and public figures.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s security misbehaves

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been in talks regarding the security personnel assigned to him, as they allegedly misbehaved with the public and media under the guise of security enforcement.

Several complaints have been lodged regarding physical manhandling and excessive restrictions on access.

A senior police official said that issuing such a circular is sheer impropriety. “All that is required is for organisers to be properly advised to coordinate security arrangements. There are far more serious issues for the home department to focus on than issuing circulars like this,” he added.