THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the Legislative Assembly that the assassination attempt on him inside the Kannur- Thiruvananthapuram IndiGo flight was a planned act of terrorism.

"The attackers boarded the plane to commit violence by deceiving the chief minister's security systems. As soon as the plane landed, the attackers rushed forward targeting me. Although the air hostesses tried to stop them, the Youth Congress workers attempted to attack and manhandle me. Untoward incidents were avoided due to the intervention of LDF convenor EP Jayarajan and the gunman. Youth Congress workers including its top leadership conspired to create this incident," the CM said.

"Youth Congress leaders, including former MLAs, made a plan to make it impossible for the Chief Minister to be released from the plane. They also arranged for sponsors to get flight tickets worth Rs 13000 for all three activists. The accused initially did not complain to the police or the court that anyone attacked them. A few days later, the accused filed a police complaint against EP Jayarajan to avoid further action in this serious case. The police have decided not to register a case on this baseless complaint. Under the Civil Aviation Act, no legal action can be taken against those who, with good intention, intercepted those who came to attack the Chief Minister. Those with special skills were selected and sent to attack the CM. There are 19 cases against one of the accused. EP Jayarajan was banned from travelling by IndiGo without hearing the arguments and evidence of those involved in the incident," he added.