ED officials attacked, vehicles damaged after raid at Pinarayi’s residence
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Thiruvananthapuram: Tension erupted outside the rented residence of veteran CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducting a raid were allegedly attacked by party workers and sympathisers while leaving the premises.
Three vehicles accompanying the ED team were damaged in the violence, while central security personnel, drivers, and a few police officials sustained injuries during the clashes.
According to eyewitnesses, CPI(M) workers and supporters gathered outside the residence intercepted the convoy soon after the raid concluded. Protesters allegedly used sticks and stones to smash the windowpanes of the vehicles as the officials attempted to leave the area.
One of the drivers travelling with the ED team reportedly suffered an eye injury after shards of broken glass struck him during the attack. Another driver was also injured, while some police personnel deployed at the spot sustained minor injuries while trying to restore order.
Despite the violence, the ED officials managed to leave the scene and later reached a local police station, where statements regarding the incident were recorded.
Following the attack, police launched a crackdown and began detaining protesters allegedly involved in the violence. Several CPI(M) workers reportedly rushed into a nearby party office to avoid arrest, after which police surrounded the building.
The incident occurred in the presence of several senior CPI(M) leaders who had gathered outside the residence during the ED raid.
The violence further intensified political tensions in Kerala amid the ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigation into the alleged CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case.
The incident has also raised serious questions over the police response, with visuals from the scene reportedly showing officers failing to immediately intervene while the ED convoy was being vandalised.
With IANS inputs
