THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police have arrested five people and detained 11 others for questioning in connection with the violent attack on vehicles used by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials after raids at former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram, police said on Thursday.
They said that most of those allegedly involved in Wednesday’s violence were activists of the Communist Party of India. Among those arrested are CPI(M) local committee secretary and former Thiruvananthapuram municipal councilor IP Binu, police said.
“300 people have been booked in connection with the incident. The case has been registered at the Museum Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those dealing with unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, unlawful restraint and attempt to murder. Charges have also been called under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act,” a senior officer said.
The officer added: “Five people were arrested, identified based on photos of the attack yesterday. They have been produced in court and remanded in judicial custody. We have detained 11 others for questioning and are in the process of verifying their role in the attack.”
The violence broke out on Wednesday after ED officials completed searches at Vijayan’s residence in connection with alleged fraudulent transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a Kochi-based metals manufacturing company, and a software solutions company run by Veena T, the former chief minister’s daughter.
Dozens of protesters allegedly blocked vehicles, smashed windshields and window panes, and threw eggs at them. While the emergency department officials escaped unhurt, the vehicles sustained extensive damage.
Police said forensic teams examined the scene of the violence on Thursday as part of the investigation.
According to the FIR, stones and bricks were allegedly thrown at the vehicles and some officials traveling with the emergency team were attacked with sticks. Security personnel from the CRPF and Kerala Police, who intervened to control the situation, were also allegedly assaulted.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala held discussions with state police chief Ravadha Chandrasekhar regarding the violence and alleged lapses in crowd control during the protest.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Chandrasekhar said more people involved in the violence have been identified and further action will be taken after that.
The police chief said that he discussed with the Minister of the Interior the issue of violence against the raiding teams. “He has instructed to take strong action against the culprits,” Chandrasekhar said.
He added that sufficient personnel were deployed after the emergency department raids began, although the agency had not informed the local police in advance. The police chief said: “They (the Executive Directorate) did not inform us, but as soon as the operation began, we took measures and deployed security.”
Separately, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim said senior party leaders met the taxi driver whose car was damaged during the violence.
Rahim said: “We realize that the car is his source of livelihood and he is a worker. We offered him our condolences over the damage to the car. We will hold discussions with the taxi drivers union to help him repair the car.”
