12 arrested for attack on ED officials after raid at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence

Thiruvananthapuram: More CPI(M) activists, including local leaders, were held in connection with the attack on the Enforcement Directorate team in Thiruvananthapuram, while around 300 identifiable persons were arraigned by the police in the case.

According to the first-information-report of the case, apart from taxi driver Syam, enforcement officer Dixon David and officials of CRPF and Kerala police came under attack.

Various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including attempt to murder, and sections of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act were invoked against the accused.

Four CPI(M) activists were held by the police on Wednesday in connection with the incident. Those held on Thursday include former city corporation councillor I P Binu. The total arrests made so far reached 12.

Many of the accused had taken shelter in the CPI(M) office in the city and they later surrendered. CPI(M) senior leaders who were at the spot during the attack may be also arraigned in the case.

State police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar told reporters that even as the police were not informed about the ED raids, adequate police personnel were deployed at all locations of the raid after CPI(M) workers started gathering.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister V D Satheesan is maintaining silence on the alleged police lapses in preventing the attack on the ED officials. Home minister Ramesh Chennithala held discussion with senior police officers to review the incident.

The ED officials were learnt to have seized a mobile phone and bank account details from former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena T. After analysis of the seized items the ED would be taking further action.