Kerala: CPI(M) workers attack ED officials, security guards and women personnel during raid at ex-CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s house; pelt stones and vandalise vehicles

Following the ED raid, CPI(M) workers carried out violence outside Pinarayi Vijayan's house.
Vijayan has claimed political vendetta. (Source: The Federal/The Hindu)

On 27th May (Wednesday), the Enforcement Directorate searched the homes of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his son-in-law PA Mohamed Riyas and multiple others. The action is part of the investigation into the CMRL money laundering case. 10 locations were raided, including Vijayan’s rented home in Thiruvananthapuram.

Armed central security guards were stationed outside the two-story home at Bakery Junction. However, violence broke out as ED officials finished the raid and were exiting the premises of the house.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers attacked at least three cars, including the one carrying the personnel, while the police were unable to stop the unruly mob. CPI(M) members and activists from the party’s affiliated groups demonstrated against the raid.

They surrounded and obstructed the vehicles of ED officers and central security personnel as they left Vijayan’s house. They also threw stones and bricks at the cars, severely damaging their windscreens, windows and outer rearview mirrors. The mob kicked the cars, pounded their fists and sticks on the windows and windscreens and even flung rotten eggs at them while yelling anti-ED and anti-centre slogans. A driver was also wounded during the unrest.

While a search was taking place inside, irate CPI(M) workers threw helmets, plastic bottles and stones at security guards stationed inside. Central security officers and police found it difficult to keep the gathering under control. The car with women officers was also targeted, damaging its windscreen.

Under the leadership of state secretary M V Govindan, the CPM members staged a demonstration outside the house, calling it a politically driven action by the centre. Students Federation of India (SFI) also organised a protest march which provoked tensions. The demonstrators threw water bottles and shoes at the central police officers.

Afterwards, the ED officials headed to the Thampanoor police station to file a complaint against the protesters. Meanwhile, raids occurred at Mohamed’s Kozhikode home alongside properties of senior CMRL officials. On the other hand, Vijayan referred to the action as a part of a nationwide targeted campaign on opposition leaders. “This is only a beginning. Nobody should harbour the illusion that such actions can intimidate or weaken us.” he declared.

The former chief minister asserted that the action against him was a plot of the BJP-led centre to use central agencies against opposition leaders after it was elected to power. He also attacked Rahul Gandhi and stated that he would find “mental satisfaction” in the search, noting that the Congressman had frequently asked why his home had not been inspected and why he had not been taken into custody.

“Even someone like Rahul Gandhi previously questioned, ‘Why isn’t Pinarayi’s house being raided? Why isn’t Pinarayi being arrested?’ That was what he asked. The BJP government is taking such planned and coordinated actions against opposition leaders and workers across the country. But nobody should delude themselves into thinking they can weaken us with such actions. This is only the beginning for us. We have seen such ‘grand designs’ before. The people of our state and our party comrades see this for what it truly is, a targeted political vendetta. We are ready to face whatever comes our way with strength and unity. There is much more to say, but I will stop here for now,” Vijayan insisted.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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