The Thumba police on Saturday registered a case against 22 CPI(M) workers, including two district committee members, for allegedly assaulting police officers and preventing them from discharging their responsibilities.
The action was taken in connection with an issue that unfolded late Friday after the police had taken into custody a party worker, Nasser, for allegedly obstructing traffic in Thumba. He was apparently drunkl.
Soon, a group of CPI(M) activists, led by district committee members Attipra Sadanandan and V.S. Padmakumar, took out a demonstration to the Thumba police station, alleging that Nasser had been manhandled by station house officer K.G. Prathapachandran.
‘Threats, abuses’
The activists allegedly barged into the police station and attempted to assault the police officers. They purportedly raised threats and hurled abuse at the officers. A video of the incident had emerged soon after.
The issue was brought under control after Assistant Commissioner (Kazhakuttam Cyber City) R. Anil Kumar reached the spot.
On the basis of a directive by District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) P. Prakash, the police booked 22 people, including 15 who are yet to be identified, under various provisions including Sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 146 (rioting) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty).
CPI(M) charge
The CPI(M) accused the Thumba SHO of targeting party workers ever since he had assumed the position recently.
In a separate incident, some CPI (M) workers agitated in front of the Kovalam police station on Friday evening. They alleged that a party worker had been assaulted by a police officer during a vehicle check on K.S. Road.