The Kerala Police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged assault on Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union (KSU) workers by the gunmen of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the Nava Kerala Yatra in Alappuzha in December 2023.
SIT Composition and Mandate
A six-member team has been appointed, led by Alappuzha crime branch Superintendent of Police (SP) Shoukath Ali. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Baiju Paulose will serve as the investigating officer. The order directs the team to submit a progress report within two weeks and the final report within one month.
Background of the Incident
The incident sparked widespread controversy after Vijayan described his security personnel's actions as a "rescue operation." The assault occurred when Youth Congress and KSU activists attempted to wave black flags at the Nava Kerala Yatra bus. In the attack, KSU district president A D Thomas and Youth Congress state secretary Ajay Juel Kuriakose were seriously injured. Thomas has since been elected as an MLA from Alappuzha in the recent polls.
According to reports and visuals that later emerged, gunmen Anil Kumar and Sandeep S allegedly got down from the chief minister's escort vehicle and assaulted the protesters. Vijayan defended their actions, stating that the security personnel were only ensuring his safety and that their intervention amounted to a "rescue operation."
Political Reactions and Legal Proceedings
The incident evoked strong protests from Congress functionaries. As police initially did not take action, Youth Congress functionaries approached the court. Following court directions, police subsequently registered a case against the gunmen. The reinvestigation move comes after Chief Minister V D Satheesan indicated that the case would be reopened after assuming office.
Significance of SIT Head Appointment
Ali's appointment as SIT head assumes added significance since he was the one who arrested the accused in the T P Chandrasekharan murder case in Kannur, which included Communist Party of India (Marxist) functionaries. During the first Pinarayi government, he went on deputation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Although he returned to the state later, he was not given a posting in the law and order by the successive Pinarayi government.
