Slipper thrown at CM: IG to probe

Thiruvananthapuram: A police team led by an Inspector General will probe into the incident of some CPI-M protesters throwing a slipper at Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at Balaramapuram here.

CPI-M protesters on Thursday evening threw a slipper at Chandy and waved black flags at a public function near the state capital. The slipper, however, did not hit him.

The incident occurred when Chandy, assembly Speaker N. Sakthan and Social Justice Minister M.K. Muneer arrived in an open jeep to inaugurate a swimming pool near Balaramapuram.

Police officials said the slipper missed Chandy, and instead hit one of his security officials.

According to police, a group of CPI-M activists, who were waiting to wave black flags at Finance minister K M Mani, who was also attending the function in connection with the inauguration of a swimming pool, hurled a slipper as the CM's vehicle passed at nearby Vedivechan kovil.

Police said the activists had mistaken Chandy's vehicle for Mani's car.

CPI-M has been protesting since the past few months against Mani, who is facing allegations of bribery with regard to renewal of bar licenses.