CM, Kodiyeri condemn lathicharge on CPI MLA

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan termed as police highhandedness the lathicharge on CPI MLA Eldo Abraham.
When asked for his reaction, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran refused to make any comments. The chief minister said the incident should not have happened and added that the government had asked the Ernakulam district collector to launch a probe into the incident.
Balakrishnan said the incident was most unfortunate and it had brought shame on the police. “It should not have happened and the government will take action after getting the collector’s report,’’ Balakrishnan said.
On complaints raised by the CPI against the police, the CPM state secretary said the issue would be discussed with CPI leaders.
KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran urged the CPI to take a hardline against the CPM’s misuse of police to tamp down protests.