THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Police officers attached to the Varkala police station allegedly roughed up a mediaperson in front of his wife and daughter at his residence on Sunday night. Following this, Rural SP P Asok Kumar entrusted Attingal ASP R Aditya with initiating a preliminary inquiry and asked him to submit a report soon. Sources said Sajeev Gopalan, the Varkala correspondent of Malayalam daily Kerala Kaumudi was allegedly assaulted by Varkala SHO K R Biju and CPOs Bijoy and Praveen for publishing a news report regarding the attack on two girls at Edava which occurred a few days ago.
Sajeev was assaulted around 10 pm on Sunday when he was standing in front of his residence to see off his relatives. The CPOs reached his house on a motorcycle and started hitting him. They continued doing so even after Sajeev’s wife and daughter asked them to stop. Biju, who reached the spot later, also started beating Sajeev. However, the police refuted the allegations and claimed Sajeev attacked the cops first. According to the police, Sajeev and his four friends were found drinking at a public place in front of his residence by the two CPOs who were rushing to an accident spot.
They did not heed the CPOs’ warning not to drink in public and, instead, verbally abused the cops. Sajeev even tore off one of the cop’s uniform. When Biju arrived, he slapped Sajeev following the latter’s repetitive provocation, the police said. The Varkala Police have registered a case against Sajeev under IPC Section 332. Rural SP P Asok Kumar told ‘Express’ he had directed the Attingal SP to file a report and will take action against the cops accordingly.
“So far, allegations have poured in from both sides. I am waiting for the inquiry report and will take disciplinary action on its basis,” Kumar said. Meanwhile, the district committee of Kerala Union of Working Journalists has approached DGP Loknath Behera seeking disciplinary action against the police officers who had allegedly assaulted Sajeev Gopalan. The union alleged that the police have committed a grave offence by assaulting a mediaperson in front of his wife and children. District president Suresh Vellimangalam has demanded the suspension of the police officers.
Special trains during Pooja holidays
T’Puram: The Railways will operate a pair of suvidha special train services between Chennai and Ernakulam to clear the extra rush of passengers during Pooja festival season.Chennai Central - Ernakulam Junction Suvidha special train (Train No 82633 ) will leave Chennai central at 10.30 pm on September 28 (Thursday) and arrive at Ernakulam Jn by 10.55 am next day (September 29). It will have two-minute stop at Ernakulam Town.In return Ernakulam Jn– Chennai Central Suvidha special train (Train No 82634 ) will leave Ernakulam Jn at 7 pm on October 2 (Monday) and arrive at Chennai on October 3, 7:20 am.