On a recent early Sunday morning train journey, I observed it was a day of statewide hartal. I was reminded of a hartal when my life was saved by divine intervention.
On March 15, 1988, eight parties jointly observed a Bharat Bandh. For the first time, the Left succeeded in getting others to join them. Kerala was then ruled by the Left Front. The Centre ordered that offices should be fully functional. I was duty-bound as the director to ensure that the Trivandrum TV Centre was functioning and sensitive installations and staff were secure.
Transport access to DD Kendra, Kudappanakunnu was sparse. We requested City Police Commissioner T P Gopinathan, a suave gentleman, for security. We drove in a convoy with a police van ahead. Two constables were on the front seat with three of us behind. We reached Peroorkada to turn to DD Kendra. Suddenly our car was surrounded by a crowd shouting slogans and hitting the car. The two constables were asked by the crowd what they were doing; they disappeared. A few men dragged the driver Om Parkas who stuck to his seat. Someone strangled him and he was gasping for breath. My colleagues started crying aloud. I could not stand the driver being asphyxiated and with all my force pulled the hands holding his neck. But they caught my hand and tried to drag me out. The excruciating pain I suffered is still indescribable. Petrol from cans was poured over the car. Someone was heard shouting, “Light the fire”. Thank God Almighty, none had matches. But someone was ordered to fetch one. Life was going to be over!
Then a CRPF bus with armed personnel unexpectedly reached the spot and came to a screeching halt. Uniformed men got down with their raised guns. The CRPF Commandant Jagadeesh Chandra had requested TV coverage for the prestigious Passing Out Parade. Our camera team had gone for coverage at Pallippuram and was returning. Seeing the armed CRPF, the crowd vanished. We learnt that some colleagues including news editor E K K Nair were hurt. We continued in the CRPF bus. In the evening, a van full of armed Kerala policemen accompanied me home.
Many well-wishers called me during the day. Next day we met the Opposition leader K Karunakaran and CM E K Nayanar who condemned the outrage. Nayanar commented about the discussion in the Legislative Assembly, “If you stand for election tomorrow, you will win hands down! Everyone supported you!” The government set up an enquiry commission with Sudha Pillai, the then district collector Trivandrum, who submitted a report. I wonder what happened to it.
Email: kkunhikrishnan@gmail.com
