Caning of CPI MLA: Collector gives report
None with magisterial powers was summoned to the place though the police had a hint of the volatile situation.
KOCHI: Ernakulam collector S. Suhas has taken a balanced view of the police action against the CPI leaders in Kochi, based on the evidence collected from various sources, it is learnt. He sent his report to the Chief Minister through a messenger on Monday.
Unconfirmed reports said that the report has accused the police of unleashing physical assault on the CPI workers on a large scale while not caring to spare the CPI MLA. None with magisterial powers was summoned to the place though the police had a hint of the volatile situation. The collector could not be reached for comments. Sources said that the report was yet to reach the CM’s office.
Nearly a dozen CPI activists, including the party’s district secretary K. Raju and Muvattupuzha MLA Eldho Abraham and three policemen, including assistant commissioner K. Lalji, were injured during the police action against the march taken out to the IG’s office in Kochi last Tuesday.
The collector is understood to have relied on video footage and photographs available on the incident. He also recorded the submissions by the affected CPI leaders, including Eldho Abraham and the police personnel, apart from taking note of the media reports. He was given a direction by the chief minister’s office to give an impartial report.