Boy flees home to seek state CM's help against money launderers

Thiruvananthapuram: A boy who ran away from his home, and sought the Chief Minister's help to fight the money launderers, finally had a happy ending. Devanandan, a 16-year-old plus one student, had travelled all the way from Kuttiady in Kozhikode district, in Kerala, to the state capital Thiruvananthapuram in a ten-hour journey only to meet CM Pinarayi Vijayan. But his dream journey hit obstacles after obstacles when he could not penetrate the high-security zone at Nanthancode, where Chief Minister's official residence is situated and meet the CM. After a few hours of roadblocks, Devanandan found hope in the form of security forces as they saw a boy wandering the high-security zone at night. Police rescued him from wandering the streets at midnight. Police officials contacted the boy's parents and even arranged an opportunity to meet the CM to make his wishes come true.

Devanandan boarded Ernad Express from Vadakara railway station on Saturday morning. He had decided to meet the CM personally after a private bank's officials threatened his family since his father failed to pay the monthly interest. Devanandan is a resident of Velam panchayat in Kuttiady and a plus-one student. After reaching Thiruvananthapuram railway station in Thampanoor around 9 pm, he boarded an auto rickshaw and reached the Devaswam board junction at Nanthancode, where the Cliff House, the official residence of CM, is situated. He informed the security persons posted there about his intention to meet the CM. The police officials who felt doubt about the nature of the boy informed the local Museum police station, and he was shifted to the safety of the station. After his whereabouts were learnt, police bought him food and contacted his parents and informed them of the ordeal. The family was in a panic after the boy went missing. Devanandan's father, Rajeevan, reached the police station on Sunday morning. Police, in the meantime, contacted the Chief Minister's office and informed them about the boy's expedition. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Devanandan and his father at his chamber. Devanandan told the CM that his father had taken a loan to build a two-room house. After his father failed to pay the monthly interest, the private bank started to threaten the family. CM, after listening to the boy's plea, asked his office staff to check if he could do anything to help Devanandan. CM had also asked the boy not to venture out in the future.