Thiruvananthapuram, May 26 (IANS) In a dramatic escalation of the politically sensitive Nava Kerala Yatra assault case, five police personnel attached to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, including his gunmen, were suspended on Tuesday while the state government simultaneously weighed strong action against senior police officer M. R. Ajith Kumar over allegations of attempting to derail the investigation.

The suspended officers include gunmen Anil Kumar and Sandeep, along with escort personnel Shaiju, Arun, and Vipin. Since the officers were attached to different units, the suspension orders were issued by the State Police Chief.

The action follows the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which reportedly concluded that the officers had unlawfully used force and weapons while attacking Youth Congress and KSU workers during protests against Vijayan’s Nava Kerala Yatra in Alappuzha in December 2023.

The SIT was formed soon after V.D. Satheesan took over as the new Chief Minister, as Satheesan, during the Assembly election campaign, had clearly said that a UDF government, when it takes office, will ensure that all those who attacked their student and youth workers would be sternly dealt with.

Visuals of the assault had triggered massive outrage at the time, showing gunmen stepping out of the Chief Minister’s escort vehicle and physically attacking black flag protesters on the roadside.

Vijayan had then defended the actions of the security personnel, terming it a ‘rescue operation’ carried out to ensure his safety.

The justification had sparked fierce protests from the then Congress-led Opposition.

The latest developments gathered further political significance after it emerged that the SIT had also found serious lapses on the part of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Ajith Kumar, accusing him of allegedly attempting to sabotage the investigation and manipulate the case diary using his official position.

The State Police Chief is expected to submit the SIT’s detailed report to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who is likely to take a final call on disciplinary as well as possible criminal proceedings against the senior officer.

The alleged suppression of a security lapse report submitted by former Alappuzha police chief Chaithra Teresa John has reportedly further tightened the case against Ajith Kumar.

The government is also examining whether criminal charges, including fabrication of false records, can be invoked against the ADGP.

The developments are expected to severely impact Ajith Kumar’s prospects of elevation to the post of DGP in July.

With the new UDF government adopting an aggressive stance, indications are that more officials could face action in the coming days as the probe widens into one of Kerala’s most controversial political-policing episodes in recent years.

Fearing arrests, these officials have approached the local district court in Alappuzha with an anticipatory bail, and when it came up for hearing, the court asked for the police report and has kept it in abeyance.

Incidentally, one of the victims of the brutal attack is the present Congress legislator from Alappuzha, A.D.Thomas, 31, who rose to fame after this incident.

–IANS

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