CPI(M) leader MV Jayarajan on Thursday claimed that a “suicide attacker” tried to kill Health Minister Veena George, who was allegedly injured during a KSU protest at Kannur railway station.
Jayarajan showed reporters a video clip on his mobile phone to support his claim.
He also claimed that earlier a wreath had been laid at the minister’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram to symbolize that she was “dead”.
Jayarajan said that Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Sathisan, and the Congress had stated that they did not agree to lay a wreath.
He said, “If action had been taken against these criminals, the attempt to kill the minister would not have occurred now. The opposition leader justifies the action by claiming that the King Saud University activists did not approach the minister’s range, but the pictures I have show a piece of black cloth near the right side of the minister’s neck.”
He further claimed that the images revealed that one of the alleged “suicide attackers”, who was wearing a white T-shirt, had approached the minister.
Jayarajan alleged that the minister was physically assaulted.
He added: “This was done by one person in the criminal group. While they were being removed from the place, they were unable to kill the minister. The attack occurred with the motive of killing her.”
He described the attack launched by King Saud University activists as “extremely reprehensible.”
He added: “We are not against protests that take place in a democratic manner. We were beaten by the police when we participated in protest marches carrying black flags, but no minister was attacked.”
Kerala University activists carried out a protest against George over recent incidents of alleged medical negligence in government hospitals across Kerala at Kannur railway station on Wednesday.
After the accident, George complained of neck pain and was taken to the hospital.
Police arrested five activists at King Saud University, the student wing of Congress, following the incident.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) Minister of State M V Govindan alleged that corporate houses are now taking over private hospitals in Kerala.
He claimed that a major lobby in the country is trying to defame government hospitals, which, according to him, are receiving international attention due to major developments in the health sector.
He further alleged that those who laid a wreath at George’s house were also involved in the attack on her at the railway station.
“It was a deliberate attempt to attack her. When the truth comes out, the UDF leaders are trying to save themselves by spreading lies,” Govindan said.
He also alleged that the demonstration led by Opposition Leader V D Sathisan across the state was a platform for “telling lies”.
He said the CPI(M) was not opposed to the protests.
“But until now in the state’s history, no female minister has been treated roughly and no murder attempt has occurred,” he said.
Responding to a question about the alleged police failure, he said it was a planned attempt and that whenever such incidents happen, the police cannot be blamed.
The Congress and the United Democratic Front denied any attack on the minister.
