KOCHI: Continuing the crackdown of SDPI-PFI workers in connection with the killing of SFI leader M Abhimanyu in Ernakulam Maharaja's College, the Kochi Police on Monday took six SDPI leaders into custody. The six leaders, including the state president, were returning after holding a press conference in Ernakulam Press Club.
SDPI state president P Abdul Majeed Faizy, state vice-president M K Manojkumar, general secretary Roy Arackal and Ernakulam district president P K Shoukath Ali were taken into preventive custody, according to the officers. Besides, the drivers of the leaders Zakeer from Malappuram and Rafeek from Vazhakulam, near Perumbavoor were also held. Dramatic scenes unfolded when the police took the SDPI leaders as they left the press club hall at 1 pm. Meanwhile, the leaders protested by raising slogans.
According to the police officers, the custody was part of the ongoing investigation. However, they added that they were unsure whether the arrest of the leaders would be recorded or not.
About 90 SDPI-PFI workers from Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts were taken into preventive custody on Sunday. The police is conducting massive raids on SDPI party offices and residences of the leaders after the gruesome killing of SFI leader Abhimanyu on July 1. So far, the police arrested 10 Campus Front of India and PFI workers in connection with the murder.
The Ernakulam Central Police is also conducting an inquiry into the attack on police officers as part of a protest march organised to High Court aginst the Hadia case verdict in 2017. Many SDPI leaders were booked in this case.