Kerala Live News Updates

Thiruvananthapuram – The police is preparing a list of those to be arrested in the Vizhinjam conflict. The High Court is hearing the case on the port issue tomorrow. Arrest will be made following that. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had directed to continue the investigation in the cases related to the conflict.

It is clear that due to this, DIG R. Nishanthini was appointed as a special officer for the Vizhinjatu Law and Order Bridge and a special team was formed under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner for further action in the cases of accused including priests. A case has been filed once morest 3000 people known to have been involved in the attack on the police station, including attempted murder. Hindu Aikyavedi protested once morest the anti-port strike.

Meanwhile, there is no confirmation from the Kerala Police regarding the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the police station attack. DIG Nishanthini stated that there was no knowledge of any terrorist links infiltrating the strike and the NIA was not present at the meeting he attended. Meanwhile, the police registered a case once morest the convener of the strike committee Fr.

English Summary: Vizhinjam attack case

Kannur ∙ CPM has denied Babu Parai, a CPM worker who stabbed 2 CPM workers to death in Thalassery for questioning the sale of drugs. CPM district secretary MV Jayarajan stated that the party will not protect anyone belonging to the drug mafia. Quotation – If there are any communists in drug gangs, the party will not protect them. Jayarajan also said that he rejects such people. The party will be checked to see if there are people in the net of such gangs. He also said that CPM is an organization that has a system for this according to the party constitution. A separate investigation will be conducted in the context of the Thalassery incident.

Among the 7 people arrested in the case, Babu Parai is a CPM activist. No one else is CPM affiliated. Babu came to CPM years ago from BJP. Babu’s brother-in-law and accused in the case, Jackson, is the drug dealer. Jackson is the one who delivered the drug as a parcel. Jayarajan also said that Babu might have come under the influence of his brother-in-law. It is the achievement of the police that the accused were arrested within hours. MV Jayarajan said that there was no interference from anyone.

The CPM had earlier stated that the drug mafia was behind the killing of 2 CPM workers. CPM activist Babu Parai, the main accused in the murder gang, was late in denouncing it, which had led to a lot of criticism. It is in this context that the district leadership has stated that it rejects those who are involved in drug mafia activities.

English Summary: Thalassery twin murder

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ∙ Vizhinjam was calm yesterday following a night-long massive conflict. Forensic team reached the spot and collected the evidence. More than 600 additional policemen have been deployed at Samarapanthals and Vizhinjam Junction.

Minister G.R. Anil said following the peace meeting that everyone except the strike committee declared their support for the Vizhinjam project. City Police Commissioner G. Spurgeon Kumar said that the police have taken precautionary measures. Representatives of various political parties including CPM, Congress and BJP also participated in the meeting.

∙ ‘The positions of the central and state governments which ignore the demand to solve the problems due to the construction of Vizhinjam port cannot be justified. Archbishop Dr. Dr. Thomas Neto, Assistant Bishop. R. Kristudas and others are protesting. It is inappropriate for the political leadership and administration to issue statements that aggravate the problem. A situation where the strike turned violent should have been avoided.’ – Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Committee (KCBC)

∙ ‘Government should realize that methods of provocation and interventions will not be beneficial for solving the problem in Vizhinjath. The government should try to solve the problem through peaceful measures without provoking the coastal community by filing a case once morest the president of Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese.’ – Bishop Dr. Joseph Curry, President, KRLCC

∙ ‘The Latin Archdiocese’s demand for a judicial investigation is justified. Congress will not accept it if the government’s aim is to suppress the struggle of fishermen who are fighting for their livelihood.’ – K. Sudhakaran, KPCC President

∙ ‘The state government has gone into trouble regarding the Vizhinjam conflict. There were situations where people attacked the police station. It means that the home department of Kerala has no master. Where are the 2 ministers in the capital?’ – V. Muralidharan, Union Minister

∙ ‘It is ridiculous to say that those who are violently protesting in Vizhinja should have a judicial inquiry in defiance of the court orders and the assurances given to the court.’ – Minister Ahmed Devarkov

∙ ‘The anti-port strike will be supported by the government. The government has a double standard when it comes to strike. Minister Antony Raju, his brother and family members are at the forefront of the strike.’ – K. Surendran, BJP state president

∙ ‘The strike committee should withdraw from Vizhinjam strike. The government accepted six of the seven demands raised by the strike committee. The demand to stop the construction of the port cannot be accepted.’ – AN Shamseer, Speaker

English Summary: More police deputed at Vizhinjam