Dissident ruling from MLA held in Kerala for violent protest over man's death in wild elephant attack

Thiruvananthapuram: A dissident MLA of the ruling CPM led Left Democratic Front in Kerala was arrested on Sunday night in connection with the violent protest over the killing of a man from a tribal community in a wild elephant attack at Nilambur in Malappuram district.

P V Anvar MLA was arrested from his house after a large posse of police surrounded his house. Non-bailable charges were invoked against the MLA and several others for causing damage to the forest office at Nilambur earlier during the day.

Mani, 36, was killed in a wild elephant attack on Saturday evening. Protesting against it the MLA and workers of the Democratic Movement of Kerala formed by him staged a march to the forest office that turned violent.

Anvar alleged that his arrest was a vindictive action at the behest of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He said that he would continue his fight for the people.