20 people pounced on car and attacked; DYFI targets Minister Janeesh at five locations

KANNUR: DYFI activists attacked Minister O.J. Janeesh's vehicle in both Taliparamba and Payyannur. At Kuppam, Taliparamba, DYFI workers damaged the car by throwing stones and thrashing the vehicle with their hands. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon while the Minister was travelling to Kasaragod after attending a function at the Taliparamba Block Panchayat Hall. Activists lunged in front of the Minister's car immediately after the pilot vehicle had passed. The vehicle sustained damage to its flag pole, rain guard, and door beading. The Minister continued his journey in another vehicle. Five DYFI activists have been taken into custody.

Visuals clearly show police personnel nearby. Although some individuals attempted to remove the keys from the police jeep, the police managed to retrieve them.

A black-flag protest took place near Chiravakku in Taliparamba. The Minister's vehicle was also attacked in Payyannur. A scuffle broke out involving DYFI activists, MLA Sandeep Varier, and Youth Congress workers. DYFI activists attempted to place a banana plant on the roof of the Minister's car but were unsuccessful. A black-flag protest also took place in Nileshwar, Kasaragod.

Janeesh stated that the attacks took place at five locations. V.P. Abdul Rasheed, a Youth Congress leader who was travelling with the minister, described it as a premeditated attack. He said that a group of about 20 people pounced on them like fighters and alleged that the attackers shouted, "Kill Janeesh!"

Allegations have also been raised that the police failed to provide adequate security, despite being aware that protests were likely. V.D. Satheesan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala spoke to Janeesh over the phone.