Did not prevent women’s entry to Sabarimala; youth vandalizes MLA’s car

BALARAMAPURAM: The Balaramapuram police have arrested Santhosh (30) of Payattuvila Kuzhivila house, in the incident of vandalizing MLA M Vincent’s car, which was parked in front of his house. The incident took place around 7 am on Monday. The man had smashed the car alleging that the MLA did not take any action to prevent women’s entry to Sabarimala and demanded him to take necessary steps to avoid the collapse of Mullaperiyar dam. The accused is mentally unstable, said the police.

It was when the MLA came out, on hearing a noise, that he saw the accused standing with an iron rod after vandalizing his car. The youth, who came riding a motorbike, had smashed the car’s glasses without any provocation. He was caught by the locals and Congress activists in the area. The MLA’s driver grabbed the rod from his hand and the MLA soon informed the Balaramapuram police. Meanwhile, the activists tried to assault the accused, but was stopped by the MLA’s timely intervention. The party activists were also triggered by the police’ delay in reaching the spot.

On learning about the incident, a team led by the rural SP and the Neyyattinkara DySP reached the spot and met the MLA in person. The activists staged a protest in front of the police station against the rising anti-social harassments in the area. Action will be taken to increase the MLA’s security, said the police. Santhosh has been remanded. He is an accused in numerous cases under various stations, added the police.

The public must unitedly rally against drug mafia: MLA M Vincent

Drug mafia attacks against people’s representatives has become common in most places. The police should strengthen investigation against goonda violence and drug sales. I don’t think that the opposition parties are involved in the attack. I had bought the new car four months ago, with the money received from the sale of my old vehicle, along with a loan of Rs 8 lakh. Now, I have to spend lakhs to restore the damaged vehicle, said the MLA.