Minister stuck in traffic snarl, suspension of cops revoked

KOLLAM: The action of suspending three policemen after Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty Amma got stuck in a traffic jam, has been revoked. The suspension of ASI Nukrdudeen of Kollam Sooranad police station, CPOs Harilal and Rajesh were revoked. Suspending the three for the incident had created a controversy.

Mercykutty Amma was on her way to Kollam from Pathanamthitta after attending the Independence Day celebrations when she got stuck in the traffic jam in front of an auditorium at Mayyathunkara, Poruvazhi. As there was a wedding reception at the auditorium, several vehicles, including a tourist bus, were parked on the roadside causing the traffic snarl. The minister’s vehicle got stuck there for nearly 20 minutes. Citing lapses on the security of the minister, rural SP Harisankar suspended the three.

The SP was also there when the minister got stranded in the traffic. He was returning after visiting the relief camps set up for flood-affected people at Sooranad. The minister complained to the SP about the inconvenience caused to her.