Revenue staff strike for 2nd day, ES Bijimol unrepentant
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Revenue minister Adoor Prakash on Saturday urged the striking officials to return to work and avoid inconvenience to the public.
He was reacting to the strike by revenue officials protesting the assault on ADM Moncy P. Alexander by CPI legislator E.S. Bijimol at a private estate near Peruvanthanam on Friday.
He, however, said the attack on the official during a protest by residents could not be justified.
The staff continued their strike for the second day. Meanwhile, Ms Bijimol demanded action against the ADM accusing him of going out of the way to “install the non-existent gate” in that area which provoked the residents.
She demanded cases registered against her and others in connection with the incident withdrawn with immediate effect.
The MLA said the government was foisting false cases against the people to sidetrack the issue instead of finding a solution.
Defending his action, the ADM told news channels that he was only implementing the court directive.
The legislator pushed him back about 150 meters and those accompanying her had also assaulted him and he suffered knee dislocation.
At the personal level, he clarified, he would not go for any legal action against the legislator.
CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran defended Ms Bijimol saying the incident was part of a people’s protest and the legislator had intervened in the matter as their representative.
The Peerumedu circle inspector has taken over the investigation.