Thiruvananthapuram, May 27 (IANS) In a dramatic escalation following the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials outside the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, police on Wednesday handed over photographs of the identified accused to senior CPI-M leaders as efforts intensified to trace those involved in the violence.

Police sources said images of 10 accused, including former councillor Attukal Unni, Palayam Santhosh, and Adarsh, were shared with party leaders after investigators confirmed their identities using CCTV visuals, media footage and videos circulating on social media.

The development came amid high-voltage scenes in the heart of the state capital, where hectic discussions were held between top Kerala Police officials and senior CPI-M leaders outside a local party office where the accused were believed to be hiding.

Among those engaged in the talks were Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, former ministers V. Sivankutty and Kadakampally Surendran, besides CPI-M legislator V. Joy.

Police officials reportedly informed the party leadership that several of the identified accused were inside the local CPI-M office following the attack on the ED convoy after the raids at Vijayan’s residence concluded on Wednesday.

However, Joy made it clear that the police would not be allowed to enter the party office under any circumstances, setting the stage for a tense standoff between the police and ruling party workers.

The incident has sparked sharp criticism against the state police, with allegations surfacing that officers initially failed to intervene when angry CPI-M workers allegedly vandalised vehicles carrying ED officials and central security personnel after the raids.

Multiple vehicles were damaged in the violence, while drivers accompanying the ED team and a few police personnel also sustained injuries.

The attack has further intensified the political storm surrounding the Enforcement Directorate probe into the alleged CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case, which has already put the ruling CPI(M) leadership and Vijayan’s family under intense scrutiny.

–IANS

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