Thiruvananthapuram, 25 May (H.S.):The first report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged assault on Youth Congress and KSU workers during the Navakerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha will be submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP) on Monday, with investigators identifying five police personnel, including former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunman, as prima facie responsible for the incident.
According to sources, the SIT has found gunman Anil Kumar, security staff member Sandeep, and police personnel Arun, Vipin and Shaiju — who were part of the security convoy accompanying the Chief Minister’s vehicle — responsible for the alleged use of excessive force against the protesting activists.
The incident had sparked significant political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the then Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of suppressing dissent through police action. At the time, then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had defended the police response, describing it as a “protective intervention” undertaken to ensure security during the public outreach programme.
After assuming office, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government ordered a reinvestigation into the case. The SIT, led by SP Shoukath Ali, was assigned to examine the allegations and conduct a fresh probe into the incident.
The investigation team had earlier submitted a report before the Alappuzha Magistrate Court pointing to the involvement of the five policemen. Sources indicated that the report to be submitted today to the DGP may also include recommendations for departmental action against the officers identified by the SIT.
Investigators are also expected to question the five police personnel as part of the next phase of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation is continuing into allegations against ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar concerning the alleged tampering of the case diary. The SIT has reportedly received statements claiming that the case diary was copied onto a pen drive, taken to the ADGP’s office and subsequently altered.
Officials said further witness statements and evidence would be collected before a final report is submitted in the inquiry involving the senior officer.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
