Thiruvananthapuram, 29 Sept (H.S.):Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan will meet the media after the Cabinet meeting every Wednesday, his office said, outlining a schedule for his regular interactions with journalists.

If an urgent issue requires the Chief Minister to speak to the media at another time, his office will inform journalists in advance. The announcement follows repeated attempts by reporters to seek his comments as he arrives at or leaves public events.

Journalists have been approaching Satheesan at various venues and asking him questions, according to the Chief Minister’s Office. His decision not to answer on the spot has increasingly become a news story in itself in recent days. The office said the new arrangement would make clear when reporters can expect a response.

Police have also begun taking steps to manage crowds around the Chief Minister and strengthen security at his public engagements. Police intelligence assessed that people gathering closely around him, including journalists seeking comments, could pose a security risk.

Following that assessment, the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) directed district police chiefs to deploy more personnel, including officers in plain clothes, to prevent untoward incidents at events attended by Satheesan.

The issue came into focus a few days ago at an event in Idukki. As the Chief Minister was leaving the venue, he asked police to move journalists back, citing the crowding around him.

The weekly interaction after Cabinet meetings will give journalists a regular opportunity to question the Chief Minister. For responses outside that schedule, the Chief Minister’s Office said it would issue advance notice when circumstances require him to address the media. Meanwhile, police are expected to regulate access around him during public programmes in line with the intelligence instructions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman