Kozhikode – In a dramatic turn of events, District Congress Committee (DCC) president K. Praveenkumar has released a series of videos that appear to show police officers deploying explosive substances against United Democratic Front (UDF) workers. The alleged incident occurred during a fierce clash in Perambra on October 10th.
This explosive revelation comes just a day after authorities arrested seven UDF members. These individuals were taken into custody on suspicion of throwing an explosive device during the same confrontation, which reportedly left Vadakara Member of Parliament, Shafi Parambil, with nasal injuries attributed to police action.
Speaking to the media in Perambra, Praveenkumar detailed the content of the six video clips. “One of the videos clearly depicts police personnel throwing what appears to be a grenade and a teargas shell, followed by a loud explosion,” he stated. “Another segment solely captures the detonation of the tear gas and grenade. Furthermore, one visual shows Vadakara Deputy Superintendent of Police, R. Hariprasad, carrying both a lathi and a teargas shell. Most concerningly, a separate clip captures a police official instructing others not to throw the explosive device because the MP was present in the vicinity.”
Praveenkumar further claimed that these events unfolded while approximately 50 Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) workers were also present in the area.
The Congress leader emphasized that the party’s grievances were directed at the police force, not the CPI(M). He expressed bewilderment at why CPI(M) leaders were criticizing K.C. Venugopal, the All-India Congress Committee General Secretary (Organisation), for speaking out against the police’s actions towards Mr. Parambil.
Meanwhile, activists from the UDF and the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India have initiated a peaceful protest (satyagraha) outside the Perambra DySP’s office.
In his address at the protest, senior Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran unequivocally condemned the alleged attack on Mr. Parambil.
Adding another layer to the political tension, the Left Democratic Front had convened a public meeting in Perambra on Wednesday. During this event, prominent CPI(M) figures such as T.P. Ramakrishnan and E.P. Jayarajan delivered remarks that were critical of both the police and Mr. Parambil.