Soldier among accused of attacking police during Operation Toofan? Officers assaulted in vehicle

PALAKKAD: The prime accused in the attack on three police officers during ‘Operation Toofan’ vehicle inspection is a soldier. The accused identified as Jijeesh, is a soldier, who is on a vacation. The police told media that he attacked them without any provocation and continued to assault them inside the police vehicle, allegedly kicking the officers.

The cops who came under attack are sub-inspectors Sudarshana, John Xavier and civil police officer Rajaneesh of Hemambika Police Station in Palakkad. They have been admitted to the district hospital for treatment. The incident happened around 6.30 pm on Thursday near Payyakkunnu area in Malampuzha.

Police said that as part of Operation Toofan, vehicle inspections were being carried out near Olavakkode Railway Station and in the Malampuzha area. During the inspection, officers stopped a car that was allegedly speeding from the Malampuzha side. When the police said that they want to inspect the vehicle, the occupants reportedly became aggressive. They verbally abused the officers, including a woman officer, and physically assaulted them without any provocation. The officers also claimed that the occupants appeared to be heavily intoxicated and that liquor bottles were recovered from the vehicle during the inspection.

Four including Jijeesh of Mannarkkad were taken into custody for questioning. A case has been registered against them under non-bailable sections for obstructing public servants in the discharge of their official duties and for assaulting police officers, including a woman officer.