THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tensions are escalating in Kerala as the Congress and its youth wing announced plans to intensify protests against the LDF government following the arrest and subsequent remand of Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkoottathil.
The arrest stems from his alleged involvement in a protest march that turned violent on November 20. Rahul Mamkoottathil was taken into custody at his residence in Pathanamthitta and later remanded to Poojappura jail after a magistrate court denied his bail plea, citing health reasons.
The capital city bore witness to dramatic scenes as the Youth Congress president was forcefully taken to jail amid a large-scale protest by Congress activists. Senior Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan, and others, launched a scathing attack on the state police and the home department. They accused them of attempting to stifle Opposition voices and engaging in retaliatory actions against party leaders.
“We won’t remain silent on this matter. The Chief Minister and his police department are trying to suppress Opposition voices and instil a sense of fear. Starting tomorrow, we will take to the streets to protest against the undemocratic power tactics employed by the police against Congress activists and leaders,” said senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala.
In Thiruvananthapuram, Youth Congress workers obstructed the police vehicle transporting Rahul Mamkoottathil to Fort Taluk Hospital for a medical examination. Protesters, led by Youth Congress district president Nemom Shajeer, impeded the vehicle’s progress despite attempts by the police to disperse them.
Rahul engaged in a verbal altercation with Cantonment Inspector B M Shafi, attempting to resist being forced into the vehicle. The incident unfolded in full public view, escalating into a heated argument between the two.
The Youth Congress president faced charges in a case registered on December 20, including destruction of public property, assaulting police officers, and obstructing their duty. The case pertains to a secretariat march organised by the Youth Congress on December 20 that resulted in a major clash between its members and the police, transforming the state capital into a temporary battleground.
The march was organised to protest the attack on KSU and YC workers during the ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’, an outreach programme where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the council of ministers travelled across all constituencies in the state. Despite the growing unrest, the CPI(M) downplayed the Youth Congress protest against Rahul’s arrest.
“The police are doing their job. Regardless of the party, action must be taken against those involved in violence and arson. We have witnessed similar instances where SFI activists faced serious charges when they protested against the governor. The law will follow its course,” stated P Rajeev, Minister for Industries, to the media.