Thiruvananthapuram: The surrender of four activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) who assaulted three policemen brutally is seen as a drama staged after a deal which involved the ruling CPM and the police.
Interestingly, the leader of the violence near the war memorial at Palayam has been exempted from the case.
It is understood that the accused were promised charges that would fetch only light punishment. Party leaders had reached the Poojappura police station before the accused arrived. The police had never chased them as they had orders from the top not to do so.
The Cantonment circle inspector, in charge of the investigation, waited for the accused at Poojappura station along with the sub-inspector of the station under him.
The four who surrendered have been identified as Aromal of Varnam house in Plamood, Ayiroopara, Sreekaryam; Akhil of Ponthakattuvila house in Pakaloor, Pravachambalam; Hyder Shanavas of Hyder Palace, Vazhimukku, Balaramapuram; and S. Sreejith of Pazhavila house, Paravila, Pachallor, Thiruvallom.
All four are aged 21 and are students of the University College. They have been remanded.
Efforts are reportedly on to dilute the case. The accused were told to surrender in a bid to silence allegations that CPM leaders and the police are trying to protect them.
Special Branch cites serious lapses
The Special Branch has, meanwhile, reported serious lapses on the part of police though their own men – Vinayachandran, Sharat and Amal Krishna – were assaulted. Amal Krishna has called the Cantonment station for help. A team of policemen led by two additional sub-inspectors arrived at the spot, but did not seize the assailants.
The accused fled on their bikes after the assault, even as the police force silently watched. The Special Branch report says the Control Room was not notified and no additional forces were sought.
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