The Congress has accused the police of being partial by foisting false charges against its workers including the members of the Balussery grama panchayat in connection with the violent incidents that took place during a protest march in the local body on Wednesday.
District Congress Committee president T. Siddique alleged that the Congress workers had staged a protest against the ‘unholy alliance’ between the CPI(M) and the BJP during the election to the post of the president of Balussery grama panchayat. It was then the CPI(M) workers manhandled the Congress protesters. Later, the police also took them into custody and registered a case against them. Such an action was deplorable and against democratic norms, he said.
Mr. Siddique said the police should have arrested the CPI(M)’s former grama panchayat president against whom a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly sexually abusing a student. However, the police provided security to the former grama panchayat president, who was absconding, to vote in the election, he alleged.
He also charged the State government with engaging a lawyer for the accused in the Kerala High Court to get a favourable verdict.
Based on a tacit understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M), the LDF retained power in the local body. The BJP members abstained from voting based on this deal, the Congress leader said.
In the 17-member grama panchayat council, the LDF has 9 members; UDF, 6 and BJP, 2.
Mr. Siddique said the police arrested the Congress’ Standing Committee chairman, K.K. Pareed, who had been assaulted by the CPI(M) workers during the demonstration after the election.
