The SIT found that local police had already restrained and peacefully removed the black-flag protesters.
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The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to re-investigate the ‘rescue operation’ in Alappuzha, concluded that the operation carried out by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunmen against Youth Congress and KSU protesters during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas was unlawful. Investigators reportedly identified serious security and legal lapses, finding that the assault was unprovoked and unjustified
The SIT found that local police had already restrained and peacefully removed the black-flag protesters. The CM’s personal bodyguards leaped out of a trailing escort vehicle to launch an aggressive, unnecessary assault.
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Video footage verified by the SIT shows that the gunmen leaped out of an escort vehicle and brutally beat protesters who had already been restrained and subdued by local police. Gunmen are meant to remain with the Chief Minister at all times; leaping out to assault demonstrators on the road was deemed illegal. Furthermore, investigators noted they used long, unbreakable sticks not typically issued by the police.
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The SIT has reportedly received a crucial statement revealing that the initial investigation team edited the official case diary under the instructions of a high-ranking official. Members of the initial police investigation team stated that they were pressured to modify key details in the case diary. The initial team reportedly confessed that the manipulation was carried out strictly under the directions of a top official
The Crime Branch previously cleared the gunmen. However,the new UDF government decided on Monday to re-investigate the incident, known as the “rescue operation,” in which the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunmen surrounded and attacked KSU and Youth Congress workers protesting in Alappuzha during the controversial ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ under the LDF government.
Action is expected to be initiated against four gunmen, with former Chief Minister’s gunman Anilkumar and security team member Sandeep listed as the prime accused.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Home Department had hidden the report of the former Alappuzha Superintendent of Police (SP) demanding action against the gunmen. The report of SP Chaitra Teresa said that the action of the gunmen who beat up Youth Congress members brings disrepute to the police. Despite SP Chaitra Teresa’s report, the gunmen AnilKumar and Sandeep were protected. Chaitra Teresa was then transferred from Alappuzha.
Sources state that the SIT will soon submit its final report to the Director General of Police (DGP), recommending immediate disciplinary and legal action against four gunmen from the former CM’s security detail.
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