Jishnu's family unrelenting; trouble mounting for Pinarayi Vijayan govt.

Just a few days ahead of the Malappuram Lok Sabha by polls, the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala is faced with formidable public protests over the police excess towards the family of Jishnu Pranoy, the B.Tech student who was allegedly tortured and killed by the management of a self financing engineering college in Thrissur.

 

As the indefinite fast of the family of Jishnu Pranoy, including his mother Mahija and sister Avishna, entered the third day on Friday, people of Valayam, the home village of the deceased B.Tech student, also joined the hunger stir demanding justice for the family.
 

Related: Jishnu's mother, sister start indefinite fast; Hartal complete in Kerala
 

Despite severe criticism even from within the ruling front, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had justified Tuesday’s police action in which Mahija, mother of Jishnu and uncle Sreejith suffered injuries. Though DGP Loknath Behra invited Jishnu's family for a meeting on Thursday, Mahija turned it down. The family is demanding disciplinary action against two police officers who allegedly manhandled them in front of the office of the DGP.
 

Related: Outrage in Kerala over police action on Jishnu's relatives; UDF calls for hartal

"I will go directly from here to the DGP's office and will continue fast stir wherever the police stop us," said Mahija. The family is now planning to start fresh agitation once Mahija is discharged from Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.

 

  If MA Baby said something, go and ask him about it: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

 

Meanwhile, the differences within the CPM over the mishandling of the issue surfaced with Politburo member MA Baby strongly criticizing the arrogance of the police in handling the issue. He also snubbed the justifications given by party leaders, including Pinarayi Vijayan. He went on to demand action against the police officers involved.
 

Related: High drama as police arrest mother, relatives of Jishnu Pranoy in Kerala capital: Video
 

Predictably, Baby's open criticism did not go down well with Pinarayi Vijayan. "What arrogance? I don't think police misbehaved with them. If Baby said something, go and ask him about it, “Chief Minister said when media persons sought his response to the CPM leader's statement.

 

The denial of bail to five social activists who participating in the protest along with Jishnu's family, have also kicked up a controversy. Political parties cutting across party lines, slammed the government and the judiciary for jailing the social activists.

                                                               

"Chief Minister, this is Kerala," reminded former KPCC president VM Sudheeran criticising the fascist tendencies of the Pinarayi Vijayan government.