A youth was arrested on Wednesday for assaulting a police officer and forcibly breaching a Nipah containment zone set up in Kumaramputhur. The area was cordoned off following the recent Nipah-related death in Changaleeri.

The accused, identified as Ummer Farooq, a resident of Manachithodi, Onnam Mile in Perimbadari, allegedly rammed through barricades near New Alma Hospital around 1.30 pm, ignoring police instructions to stay within the restricted area.

According to officials, Farooq returned to the location around 2 pm, where he verbally abused Civil Police Officer A R Krishnakumar, grabbed his collar, and slapped him. He was taken into custody for obstructing a public servant from performing official duties and causing damage to public property.

The arrest was made based on a complaint filed by Officer Krishnakumar.