THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid Operation Toofan proceeding in full-swing, the government has appointed IG R Nishanthini as the nodal officer of the special drive. She replaced incumbent, IG Putta Vimaladithya, who has gone on leave. Sources said Nishanthini was given temporary charge on account of Putta’s absence. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said Putta will be reappointed as Toofan nodal officer once he returns after leave.
However, allegations sprang up from various quarters regarding the timing of the replacement. A Youth Congress leader Muhammed Hussain was arrested by police in Kasaragod recently under Toofan special drive after he was found in possession of MDMA. The opposition LDF had alleged that he was the social media coordinator of CM V D Satheesan.
Leader of Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, had alleged that Operation Toofan would now come to a grinding halt following the arrest.
However, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala brushed aside the allegation and termed Pinarayi’s statement as baseless. He said Putta had taken 45-days leave on personal grounds and is currently in Andhra Pradesh. He will be reappointed as Toofan nodal officer once he returns, Chennithala added.
Chennithala further said those engaged in drug cases will be arrested despite their political affiliation. “Even if the culprit is connected to the CM or me, still action will be taken against them,” he added.
Chennithala said Operation Toofan has no politics. He requested Pinarayi not to bring politics to the same. “Whoever has been nabbed will be brought before the law, irrespective of them being part of Youth Congress or DYFI. Nobody will protect anyone in this,” he told the media. He also rejected allegations that the arrested had close links with the chief minister.
“Many people take photos with us during a public event, but how can we know if he will become an accused,” asked Chennithala. He added that he was unaware of any social media posts related to the issue being taken down, and clarified that the the police had no role in the same.
Govindan challenges CM’s claims over links with accused
Meanwhile, CPM state secretary M V Govindan challenged Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s claims over his relationship with MDMA case accused Mohammad Hussain. At a press conference here on Thursday, Govindan displayed photographs Hussain had shared on his social media platforms with the chief minister.
“The CM has claimed that he came to know Hussain after the police action against him in Perumbavoor as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas programme. The CM claimed that after Hussain was discharged from hospital, he visited the latter at his home.
The CM also said that he had met him three or four times since then. The Nava Kerala Sadas programme was on December 10, 2023. But these 18 photographs of the duo taken from 2021 to October 2023 show Hussain with Satheesan,” Govindan said. He alleged that Hussain was a wholesale dealer of MDMA in seven districts.
“Hussain himself has revealed on social media that he was part of V D Satheesan’s social media team. After Hussain’s arrest, the nodal officer of Operation Toofan was also changed,” he said.
Toofan has no politics: Home minister
Chennithala said Operation Toofan has no politics. He requested Pinarayi not to bring politics to the same. “Whoever has been nabbed will be brought before the law, irrespective of them being part of Youth Congress or DYFI. Nobody will protect anyone in this,” he told the media. He also rejected allegations that the arrested had close links with the chief minister
