Kollam: Two Yuva Morcha activists were arrested for obstructing the convoy of Kerala Minister K T Jaleel with another car as part of their protest after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently recorded his statement over alleged FCRA violations.
Opposition political groups also protested in front of the Secretariat demanding the resignation of Jaleel. Kerala Congress Jacob group was the first to protest at the secretariat today.
Yuva Morcha activists Pravin (24), Vipin Raj (25) were arrested late on Sunday night for allegedly driving a car into the convoy, comprising the Higher Education Minister's car and his escort vehicle, while they were passing through Parippally on the National Highway near here.
"Two activists were apprehended. We have registered a case against them for obstructing the minister's convoy. We are probing the involvement of other persons," an officer from Paripally police station told. Police have registered a case under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 353 (assault or criminal force used to deter public servant from discharging his duty) among others.
The incident happened when the minister was on his way to the state capital after his quarantine period which he had spent at his residence in Malappuram. Meanwhile, state fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma lashed out at the opposition parties and said the "witchhunt for minister Jaleel has reached dangerous levels".
"Those who have done such an act are not unaware of the danger posed while obstructing a fast-moving vehicle with another car. This is not any form of protest. This was part of a conspiracy to endanger his life. The Minister barely escaped," Mercykutty Amma said in a Facebook post.