Kannur,25 Feb (H.S.): Kerala Health Minister Veena George was injured on Wednesday during a black-flag protest staged by activists of the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) at the Kannur railway station. The incident occurred when protesters allegedly broke through the police cordon and confronted the Minister as she was preparing to board a train to Thiruvananthapuram.
According to officials, KSU workers had organised black-flag demonstrations against the Minister at multiple locations across the district earlier in the day. Tensions escalated at the railway station when a group of protesters managed to push past security personnel and approach the Minister. In the ensuing commotion, she sustained injuries to her neck and hand.
Veena George was immediately escorted away from the scene and taken to the Kannur District Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Speaking briefly after the incident, the Minister said she was experiencing pain in her hand and was unable to move her neck comfortably. She also spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the phone from the railway station, informing him about the incident.
The Minister had been scheduled to travel to Thiruvananthapuram aboard the Vande Bharat Express. However, following the attack and the security concerns that arose, her journey was cancelled.
Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer, who was present at the scene, strongly condemned the incident. He alleged that the protesters had physically assaulted the Health Minister and described the act as highly deplorable. “Attacking a Minister in public is unacceptable and condemnable,” he said, calling for strict action against those responsible.
Police have begun investigating the incident and are expected to identify and take action against those involved in breaching the security cordon. The episode has sparked political reactions across the state, with leaders from the ruling front criticising the violence and opposition voices defending the right to protest while distancing themselves from any physical assault.
The incident has once again brought focus to the growing intensity of political protests in Kerala as parties prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
