Thiruvananthapuram, May 28
A day after violence broke out during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the residence of Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar on Thursday met Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and briefed him on the progress of the investigation into the incident.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the DGP rejected allegations that the Kerala Police had mishandled the situation or failed to respond adequately during the violence that erupted near Vijayan’s rented residence at Bakery Junction.
“The ED carried out the raid independently on behalf of the Central government. Once the police received information, personnel were immediately deployed and all necessary action was taken. Nearly 300 police officers were stationed at various locations,” Chandrasekhar said.
He also denied claims that the police had prior information about the ED operation and failed to make adequate security arrangements. According to the DGP, the local police were not informed in advance about the raid conducted by the Central agency.
The DGP confirmed that eight people had been arrested so far in connection with the attack and said efforts were continuing to identify and apprehend the remaining accused.
“Eight people have already been arrested. The investigation is progressing and strict action will be taken against everyone involved in the violence,” he added.
The ED raid, linked to the ongoing Exalogic-CMRL investigation, reportedly lasted nearly eight hours. While CPI(M) workers initially staged a peaceful protest outside the residence, tensions escalated after ED officials completed the search and attempted to leave the premises.
According to the FIR, protesters allegedly surrounded the ED convoy, shouted abusive slogans and attacked the vehicles using stones and bricks. One ED officer reportedly suffered injuries to his hand after being assaulted with sticks, while a driver sustained serious injuries during the stone-pelting incident.
