'Cameras present at scene were brought by protesters and showed only their side;  they were waiting and watching for my arrival and then rushed at me'

PATHANAMTHITTA: Health Minister Veena George has said that the protest by KSU activists at Kannur railway station was like a tiger waiting and attacking its prey. Speaking to a private television channel, the minister said that while one protester entered the police security circle and drew the attention of officers, another person suddenly rushed towards her, leading to a scuffle. The minister said that black flag protests are part of democratic expression. However, she claimed that in this instance, the protesters charged at her with clear intent. “They were waiting and watching, and then rushed forward,” she said.

Following the incident, the minister was admitted to Kannur Pariyaram Medical College Hospital with a neck injury. She has since been discharged and is currently resting at home.

The minister had reached Kannur to inaugurate an international research centre. She said that she has faced black flag protests in several places over alleged medical negligence in government hospitals in Kerala. However, she described the incident at the railway station as a planned attack.

Recalling the events, Veena George said that when she entered the railway station, she saw three or four people standing with mobile phones and cameras. She noticed that one of them appeared to be from a local channel.

“As I moved past the platform ticket counter, someone suddenly jumped forward. It was like a tiger waiting and then pouncing on its prey. Later, when I saw the visuals, I understood what happened. They were waiting and watching for my arrival and then rushed at me,” she said.

She added that at that time, one protester entered the police security ring with a black flag. Naturally, the police focused on him. “If someone brings a black flag, they can show it from a distance. But this was not like that. They rushed towards me. I am a public representative, an MLA and a minister, and also a woman. Still, they charged at me. That shows their intention. While the police were distracted by the first protester, a second person entered the security circle and came close to me," she said.

"The cameras present at the scene were brought by the protesters and showed only their side. Even in those visuals, it can be seen that a protester moved towards me and the police. My body was in severe pain after the incident," she added.