Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal apologises for calling policemen 'thulla'

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has apologised for using slang 'thulla' against Delhi Police, saying it was not intended for "honest" personnel of the force.

Kejriwal said that he had used "thulla" word against those policemen who "harass" poor people for money, adding that strict action needs to be taken against such personnel.

The Delhi CM had used "thulla" (slang for a cop) word during an interview. Angry over the remark, several policemen had registered complaints against Kejriwal for alleged defamation.

"I meant to say that policemen harass street vendors and poor people who supported us a lot and with their support, we won 67 seats. When people come to me and say cops harass them for money, it pains me. Action has to be taken against these police personnel. I used that word (thulla) against such policemen.

"If our honest police officers' emotions got hurt by this word, I apologise to them for my remark (thulla)," Kejriwal told a tv channel here.

He also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he is not letting the Delhi government work properly.

Asked if he would campaign for Nitish Kumar in Bihar during Assembly elections, Kejriwal said, "he would decide later in this regard."