Kerala Police Book Congress Leaders Over Violent Protest

The Kerala Police have registered a case against state Congress chief K Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, and other senior leaders in connection with the violence during a protest march to the DGP office in Thiruvananthapuram. The protest, organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), saw several senior Congress leaders, including MPs and MLAs, suffer from suffocation and some were even hospitalized after police fired tear gas shells.

The Kerala Police have registered a case against state Congress chief K Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan, and other senior leaders of the party in connection with the violence that occurred during a protest march to the DGP office in Thiruvananthapuram.

Protest Turns Violent

The protest, organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), turned violent earlier in the day, resulting in several senior Congress leaders, including MPs and MLAs, suffering from suffocation. Some were even hospitalized after police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Case Registered Against Congress Leaders

A senior police official from the district confirmed that a case has been registered under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rioting, obstructing roads, and preventing public servants from performing their duties, against all the leaders and party workers who participated in the protest.

Police Justify Action

The police official explained that the protesters started aggressively shaking the barricades, prompting the police to spray water. However, the protesters allegedly responded by throwing stones, leading to the release of tear gas.

No Major Injuries Reported

The official stated that around 300-400 people were part of the protest and there were no reports of major injuries. A few journalists sustained injuries during the stone-pelting, but none have officially filed a complaint with the police.

Congress Alleges Premeditated Attack

The Congress and United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders have alleged that the police action was a premeditated attack targeting their lives. However, the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) have justified the police action, claiming that it was the opposition party activists who tried to create trouble.

The incident has sparked political tensions in Kerala, with both the Congress and the ruling LDF trading accusations over the violence. The case registered by the police is likely to further escalate the ongoing political conflict in the state.