CPI mins cry foul during cabinet meet

CPI ministers expressed strong protest against the police lathicharge against the party leaders, in the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. Revenue minister E Chandrasekharan is learnt to have said the law and order situation was in shambles and the police attack in Kochi had given out a wrong message to the public. He said it was highly unfortunate that local police couldn’t identify an MLA.
Though chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and works minister G Sudhakaran joined the sentiments expressed by Chandrasekharan and termed the attack as ‘unfortunate’, law minister A K Balan provoked CPI leaders by saying that when someone in the ruling front take out street protest against government he had to get ready to face such adversities. Balan’s remark was taken up by agriculture minister V S Sunilkumar and food and civil supplies minister P Thilothaman. Sources said Sunil Kumar told Balan that they had grown as leaders by taking part in protests and suffering police atrocities.Vijayan intervened as the dispute got worse. He said the government would initiate suitable action, based on the district collector’s probe report and urged CPI leaders to wait till then. tnn