KOCHI: When the rest of the world celebrated International Women’s Day, Shiv Sena’s ‘morality brigade’ went on a rampage at Marine Drive in full public glare and manhandled young couples on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 4pm when Shiv Sena cadres took out a march on the walkway and chased away couples. They also attacked a few boys who refused to go away. In the melee, about 20 couples left the scene to avoid the cameras.
There were allegations the police remained mute spectators when the couples were attacked.
Six Sena activists were arrested in connection with the incident. The party’s state political affairs committee chairman T R Devan, K Y Kunjumon, K U Ratheesh, A V Vineesh, T R Lenin and K K Biju were taken into custody for disrupting the duty of police, threatening youth and for unlawful assembly. The police said they have not received any complaints of assault so far.
Sena leaders said the youth, mainly adolescents, indulged in public display of affection on the walkway. “We decided to launch this campaign in the wake of reports of sexual assault from various districts,” said Devan.
SI suspended; cops transferred
City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh has suspended sub inspector Vijay Shankar attached to the Central police station here pending inquiry in connection with the incident of moral policing against youngsters by Shiv Sena activists on Wednesday evening. Disciplinary action has also been taken against eight police personnel on duty. They have been transferred to the AR camp.