Attack on Health Minister: CPM calls for widespread protests in Kerala; KSU activists in custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five KSU workers have been taken into custody in connection with the incident in which the Health Minister Veena George was injured during the KSU protest in Kannur. Athul, Yassin, Mubas, Akshay and Bidul are in custody. A case of attempt to murder will be filed against them. Meanwhile, the CPM has called for a state-wide protest in connection with the injury to Veena George. In Kannur, district secretary KK Ragesh, senior leader P Jayarajan and MLAs led a protest demonstration. DYFI workers lit torches and organised a demonstration in Thiruvananthapuram.

However, opposition leaders responded that the KSU workers did not attack the minister. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said that it is just an allegation that the minister was attacked. "There were three or four KSU workers and 35 policemen at the protest site. According to the footage that has come out, not a single KSU worker approached the minister. A preliminary investigation has been conducted into the incident. We will not hesitate to take action if it is proven that the minister was attacked," Satheesan said. KPCC President Sunny Joseph said that it is not possible to believe that the minister was injured.

Health Minister Veena George was on her way to Thiruvananthapuram from Kannur railway station when the KSU workers protested. Veena George's Vande Bharat train journey was cancelled following the incident. The minister was then shifted to the district hospital. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the injured minister at the hospital.