The CPI(M) central committee and the CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran has had no role in settling the five-day agitation launched by the family of Jishnu Pranoy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
The family had launched the stir alleging police action during a protest demanding a fair probe into the death of the student
Denying reports that the party central committee had intervened to end the hunger strike by Jishnu’s mother Mahija and her family, Mr. Vijayan said on Tuesday that their decision to call off the agitation was the result of more than four hours of negotiations held with State Attorney K.V. Sohan and Special Prosecutor C.P. Udayabhanu and the State government’s assurance that action would be taken against police officers if they were found guilty of high-handedness.
Mr. Vijayan said the CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had talked to him on the phone after he was contacted by a lawyer who offered to play a mediator. CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran also had met the family but he had no role in settling the stir, Mr. Vijayan said while briefing reporters about the decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday.
Fielding a barrage of questions, he said the government had done everything possible to help Jishnu’s family. “A special investigation team was appointed and a special prosecutor sanctioned on the family’s request. We moved the Supreme Court against the bail granted to the accused and initiated proceedings to attach the property of those who were absconding. There was no reason for the family to stage a protest here on April 5.”
He, however, alleged that some forces had tried to make political capital out of the mother’s anguish and grief. Asked whether the government could have averted the situation, he replied, “some issues take time to resolve.”
Denying allegations that the arrest of social activist K.M. Shajahan was guided by personal vendetta, he said, “if I had such a prejudice against Shajahan, I could have acted earlier. He courted trouble by creating a ruckus during the agitation by Ms. Mahija and her family in front of the DGP’s office. The ongoing investigation will reveal his role in the episode.”
On SUCI role
Mr. Vijayan said the SUCI could have had certain intentions in supporting the agitation. “They could also have played into the hands of other political forces trying to foment trouble,” he added. The Chief Minister said the government would take action against any police officer found to be guilty of wrong doing. But no official would be made a scapegoat.
He also confirmed reports that former Inspector General of Police Ramon Srivastava would be appointed adviser to the Kerala Police.
