Five activists from the Kerala Students Union (KSU) who were arrested for allegedly trying to murder Kerala Health Minister Veena George during a protest at Kannur Railway Station have been released on bail. The Thalassery District and Sessions Court granted bail to the accused, including KSU Kannur district president M.C. Athul, who faced charges under nine sections, including attempt to murder.
In a new development, three police officers from the Kannur Town Police Station informed the investigation team that the protesters involved in the incident were unarmed and engaged in pushing and shoving, rather than a violent attack. The officers clarified that the activists had arrived with black flags to protest against the minister.
The statements provided by the police officers hold significance as the prosecution had earlier alleged that the accused tried to assault the minister using weapons as part of a conspiracy. The incident had initially caused a stir, leading to the minister being admitted to Taluk Hospital in Kannur and later transferred to Government Medical College Hospital, Pariyaram, for further evaluation.
The situation took a different turn when the minister discharged herself against medical advice and traveled around 350 km by road in her car. This chain of events has drawn criticism from opposition parties and raised questions about the credibility of both the minister and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist). The case has sparked political controversy, with CPI(M) workers staging marches in response to the KSU protest.
Leaders of the Indian National Congress and the KSU have contended that the charges are politically motivated and that a routine black-flag protest was blown out of proportion into an attempt to murder accusation. Notably, there is no visual evidence yet showing the protesters in close proximity to physically harm the minister, further intensifying the political debate surrounding the incident.
