Kerala Sports Minister’s Vehicle Attacked During Protests in Kannur

The first incident took place at Kuppam in Taliparamba while Janeesh was travelling to Kasaragod after attending an official Archaeology Department programme in Kannur. Protesters allegedly stopped the minister's vehicle and attacked it with stones and their hands.

The incident damaged the vehicle's flag pole and rain guard. Security personnel accompanying the minister, along with police officials, reportedly had to intervene to clear the road and remove the protesters.

The vehicle faced further protests at Payyannur and other locations along the route to Kasaragod. Shortly after crossing Payyannur, it was allegedly attacked again, with the incidents continuing until the Kasaragod border.

Congress leaders described the repeated incidents as a serious security lapse, particularly as the minister's vehicle was allegedly attacked twice within a short period.

The protests came after DYFI leader and MLA M. Vijin had said that the organisation would confront remarks made by Janeesh through street-level protests.

Janeesh, who is also the Youth Congress state president, had recently led a protest march in Thiruvananthapuram against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP. The demonstration later witnessed clashes between Youth Congress and SFI workers.

Janeesh had alleged that SFI activists provoked the confrontation by throwing beer bottles at the Youth Congress march and accused them of attempting to disrupt the protest.

The latest incident comes amid a series of demonstrations involving ministers and senior political leaders in Kerala. On Wednesday, BJP Yuva Morcha activists had staged a protest against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and other ministers, describing it as a response to a Youth Congress protest held during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Kollam.

Satheesan has warned that strict legal action would follow if incidents of violence continued.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala spoke to Janeesh over the phone and sought details of the incidents in Kannur. He also directed the Director General of Police to take action against those responsible. Satheesan separately spoke to the minister after learning about the attack.

Following the incidents, security arrangements around Janeesh have been strengthened. Additional personnel will be deployed during his public programmes, while more pilot and escort vehicles will accompany him during inter-district travel.

Police surveillance has also been increased at the minister's office and residence.

Kannur police have registered a case in connection with the alleged attack and launched an investigation to identify those involved.