Thiruvananthapuram, 28 May (H.S.) :A day after violence erupted during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the residence of Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Ravada A. Chandrasekhar met Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and briefed him on the progress of the investigation.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the DGP rejected allegations that the Kerala Police had failed to handle the situation effectively. He clarified that the ED had carried out the raid independently on behalf of the Central government and that the police acted promptly after receiving information about the operation.
“The ED conducted the raid independently. Once information was received, police personnel were immediately deployed and necessary action was taken. Nearly 300 police officers were stationed at different locations,” the DGP said.
He also denied allegations that the police were informed in advance about the raid and failed to prepare adequately. According to him, the local police had no prior information regarding the Central agency’s operation.
The DGP confirmed that eight people had been arrested so far in connection with the violence and assured that efforts were continuing to identify and arrest the remaining accused.
“Eight people have been arrested and further investigation is progressing. Strong action will be taken against all those responsible,” he added.
The ED raid was conducted at Pinarayi Vijayan’s rented residence near Bakery Junction as part of the ongoing investigation into the Exalogic-CMRL case. The search and questioning reportedly lasted nearly eight hours.
While CPI(M) workers initially gathered peacefully outside the residence, tensions escalated as the ED officials attempted to leave the premises after completing the raid. According to the FIR, protesters allegedly surrounded the vehicles, shouted abusive slogans and attacked the convoy with stones and bricks.
One ED official reportedly sustained injuries to his hand after being beaten with sticks, while a driver suffered serious injuries after stones were hurled at the vehicle. Investigators also alleged that bricks were thrown with the intention of causing harm to those inside the convoy.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
