Minister Veena George discharged from hospital; unanswered questions remain

KANNUR: Health Minister Veena George was discharged from Pariyaram Medical College Hospital, where she was being treated in the ICU after suffering a neck injury during a black flag protest by KSU activists. According to reports, she left the hospital around 4 am yesterday and travelled by car to her home in Pathanamthitta.

The decision to discharge her was taken at an online medical board meeting held at 11 pm. The board said that all her vital signs, including blood pressure, had returned to normal. She will continue treatment at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, and her medical records have been transferred there.

Kannur Government Medical College Superintendent Dr Sudheep said the minister travelled early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic up to Kozhikode.

Minister's discharge sparks questions after travel was earlier restricted

• A medical bulletin issued at 3 pm on the 26th had stated that she should not travel and must remain in the ICU. It said travel was not advisable in her current condition and explained that she was suffering severe pain due to pressure on nerve roots between the discs in her neck.
• However, the medical board that met online at 11 pm later decided that bed rest was not necessary and she could be discharged. It has also come out that a police vehicle was kept ready during the day to escort the minister up to Mahe.

Attempt to murder charge may be dropped
Five KSU activists who are in remand have filed bail applications, which will be considered today by the Kannur First Class Magistrate Court. There are indications that the police may submit a report dropping the charge of attempt to murder.

Though the FIR mentions assault and an attempt to kill, there is reportedly no clear evidence to support the charge. Meanwhile, the CPM continues to maintain that there was a planned attempt to murder the minister. The Congress has challenged the CPM to produce at least one piece of visual evidence to prove the claim.