Kerala: Vicar Fr Thomas Ayalukunnel, others sent to jail for detaining RDO K Rajan

Kottayam: Kurinji St Sebastian's Church vicar Fr Thomas Ayalukunnel, Ramapuram Panchayat member Jeenus Nath and 22 others surrendered before the judicial first class magistrate court, Pala, on Tuesday were remanded to judicial custody for two weeks. They were accused of detaining RDO K. Rajan in the village office on Friday demanding the licence to a rock quarry issued by the panchayat at Kottamala revoked. The JFMC sent them to the Pala sub-jail.

Some 115 families were residing in the vicinity of the quarry of St Basil's Industries' belonging to Shans Paul, a Moovattupuzha native, and they fear it will endanger their lives. Children of the protesters were also in the group that detained the RDO from 11.30 am to 4 pm. Later at the intervention of the police, the RDO left the place and filed a case against them.

Charges against them include preventing him from discharging his official duties and instigating children to commit the offence. The Congress party has given a letter withdrawing its support to the KC(M)-led panchayat over the issue. In its 18-member council, the KC (M) has six, the Congress five, the LDF three, the BJP two, and independents two. The anti-quarry struggle committee has declared a hartal in Ramapuram panchayat on Wednesday 6 am to 6 pm alleging that they were remanded in a fake case.