ALAPUZHA: A turbulent scene unfolded during the Nava Kerala Sadas event in Alappuzha, Kerala, as a luxury trip by the Kerala Cabinet led to violent confrontations. On December 16, an unprecedented incident took place in the Alappuzha district. Despite attempts by police to disperse protesting Youth Congress members who were brandishing black flags and chanting anti-Pinarayi slogans, an altercation ensued when the chief minister’s gunman and three security personnel emerged from their vehicle and assaulted the Youth Congress members using long sticks.

The District President of the Congress-led Kerala Students Union (KSU), A.D. Thomas, suffered a fractured skull, while state secretary Ajay Jewel sustained severe injuries, resulting in both being hospitalized. Although local law enforcement had initially subdued the protesters, the CM’s gunman and security officials resorted to physically assaulting them.

Remarkably, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended the incident the same day. He stated that "the actions of his gunman were in line with security protocols," emphasizing that the gunman’s response was rooted in the responsibility to ensure the CM’s safety during public events. However, he also claimed not to have witnessed his gunman engaging in such violence during the Nava Kerala Sadas.

Vijayan recounted an incident where he observed the gunman, Anilkumar, pushing a photographer aside to clear the CM's path, citing it as an example of the necessary measures taken to ensure his safety. Moreover, he defended a similar incident reported from Idukki.

Reports from Alappuzha revealed another distressing incident where a differently-abled Youth Congress member was violently attacked by DYFI workers for displaying black flags near the cabinet vehicle in Kayamkulam.

The Chief Minister took the opportunity to assert that there were individuals within the media who harbored ill wishes toward him, insinuating a desire for his demise.

When the CM takes such a stance, it potentially emboldens his party members and law enforcement personnel to adopt an aggressive approach. There are reports indicating that a member of the CM’s escort team dared protesters, via social media, to halt the cabinet vehicle at Kadakkal, Kollam.

Legal experts, however, have opined that the CM’s gunman violated protocol. Television broadcasts captured visuals showing the gunman engaging in brutal acts against protesters while attempting to obstruct the bus transporting the entire cabinet. Anil's intervention encroached upon the duties of the local police, thereby breaching established protocols.

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