On June 24th, Federation of Indian Students Activists (SFI) conducted a march against the Wayanad congressman’s office here on the issue of Environmentally Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
A special investigation team (SIT) investigating the case arrested these four people after summoning them for questioning. They were later released on bail, a senior police officer said. Those arrested have been charged under section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (knowingly making provocations with intent to riot).
Leaders of the National Assembly and Kalpetta MLA BILLION Siddique said two of those arrested were Rahul Gandhi’s office workers – a Personal Assistant and a housekeeper – while the other two were party employees.
Strongly opposed to the arrest, he alleges that the charges against the workers by Congress were fabricated. “The arrest was made with the full knowledge of the Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He took such a step to appease the BJP-led Center,” Siddique alleges.
Chairman of KPCC K Sudhakaran accused police action against Parliamentary staff as “part of a conspiracy surrounding the prime minister’s office”.
“Kerala authorities and police are taking an approach to turn the plaintiff into a defendant. The arrest is politically motivated. The chief should clarify what evidence that innocent congressional staffers have been arrested. Even before the police investigation began, the chief announced that the accused were congressmen,” Sudhakaran said in a statement.
CPM Leader and PA State Disability Minister Muhammed Riyas said Congress should take disciplinary action against its workers who damaged Gandhi’s photo and blamed SFI workers. Congress alleges that Mahatma Gandhi’s photo was damaged during the vandalism of MP Wayanad’s office in Kalpetta alleged by SFI activists on June 24.
