Kerala: KSU activists booked for attempt to murder for throwing shoes at CM's bus at Nava Kerala Sadas

Nava Kerala Sadas: The Kerala Students' Union (KSU) reportedly threw shoes at the bus of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while travelling from Perumbavoor to Kothamangalam on Sunday (Dec 10). The police have booked a case of attempt to murder against the activists.

Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's convoy was allegedly pelted with shoes by members of the Kerala Students' Union (KSU), the Congress party's student wing, on Sunday while travelling from Perumbavoor to Kothamangalam as part of Nava Kerala Sadas. Television networks aired footage of police using canes against the activists shortly after the incident. 

Four persons were arrested including Jibin Devakumar, Jeyin and Basil Varghese, the State Secretary of KSU.

The Kurupumpadi police have registered a case against four identifiable people under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code including Sections 283 (Danger or obstruction in public way), 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).

The workers of KSU, the student wing of the Congress party, on Sunday allegedly threw shoes at the convoy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while it was on its way to Kothamangalam from Perumbavoor. Visuals of police using canes against the activists and some unidentified persons attempting to attack the Congress workers surfaced.

Condemning the incident, Pinarayi Vijayan said that the protestors “conspiring” against Nava Kerala Sadas would be brushed away if people in the locality blew in unison at them. The CM also warned strict action against those who are involved in actions like throwing things at the bus used for the conveyance of ministers during Nava Kerala Sadas events.

Meanwhile, Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly alleged that he was assaulted by activists of DYFI, a Leftist student's body when he went to a hospital to admit a Congress worker injured in their assault. Perumbavoor Police said a case has been registered in that incident too.

The shoes fell on the bus and the police vehicle that followed. Four KSU activists were taken into police custody in the incident. At the same time, the chief minister responded, saying there would be no use in moaning if the demonstration escalated to the point of pelting. At that point, he would have to take additional action. 

Eldhose Kunnappilly, the Perumbavoor MLA, said that DYFI activists, a group of Leftist students, attacked him when he went to a hospital to check on a Congress worker who had been hurt in their attack. Perumbavoor Police said a case has been registered in that incident too.

Congress has been protesting against the Chief Minister and members of his cabinet, who are participating in the Left government's state-wide Nava Kerala Sadas yatra. The administration, according to the opposition party, is allegedly exploiting taxpayer-funded governmental resources for the political campaign of the Left party.