CPI(M) to launch indefinite sit-in protest over Adoor police station attack

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [ CPI(M)] has announced an indefinite sit-in protest from November 9, demanding arrests and action in the alleged Adoor police station attack case. Around 5,000 party workers will take part in the protest on the first day and the agitation will continue until action is taken, CPI(M) district secretary Raju Abraham said.

He said the assault on a person in police custody and the alleged intimidation of police personnel by a district panchayat member inside the station amounted to an attack on the police force itself. Despite police personnel being assaulted, only minor charges had been invoked, he alleged.

The controversy relates to an alleged attempt by a group of Youth Congress workers to assault YouTuber Rajan Joseph while he was being brought to the police station in connection with a defamation case on July 11. Though the police registered a case, the investigation made little progress until CCTV footage of the incident surfaced publicly a few days ago.

The visuals purportedly identify Youth Congress leader Feni Ninan among those involved. The footage also shows Sreenadevi Kunjamma, a Congress leader and member of the Pathanamthitta district panchayat, entering the police station and confronting the person lodged inside the lock-up.