THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a damage control exercise hitherto not undertaken by a ruling dispensation in the state, the LDF Government on Saturday put out an advertisement in the newspapers to clarify its stand on the Jishnu Pranoy issue.
The advertisement details the measures initiated by the government and the police to ensure justice to the deceased engineering student’s kin.
The advertisement issued by the Information and Public Relations Department titled ‘Jishnu case, what’s the campaign? what’s the truth?’ alleged falsehoods regarding the police high-handedness on Jishnu’s mother, Mahija were being spread.
It sought to trash the claim Mahija was dragged by the officers before being thrown into the police jeep.“Jishnu’s mother and five others had been given permission to meet the State Police Chief (SPC). But their request to allow in persons, who were not connected with the case, was turned down. Also, another gang intruded into the scene of the protest triggering tension,” the government claimed.
The advert said none of the family members was arrested in connection with the incident.
“A section of the public is deliberately creating problems by exploiting the family’s plight. The incidents which took place in front of the Kerala Police headquarters here and the subsequent violence across the state indicate a conspiracy against the government,” it said.
“The government had even approached the Supreme Court against the anticipatory bail granted by the High Court to the accused in the case. The police are doing their best to book the fugitives,” it said.
Mahija disappointed
Meanwhile, Mahija revealed her deep unhappiness at the government move. According to her, several of the claims made in the advert were patently false and did not do justice to the facts.
“I’m sad the government did not even speak to me before issuing such an advertisement.It goes against the facts.
“The fact the government sought to justify the police atrocity proved a major disappointment. Besides, it was really saddening I had to come out in the open against the government,” she said. Jishnu’s father Ashokan said the advertisement made them wonder whether the government was indeed gunning for the family.