Dollar smuggling case: LDF holds protest marches to Customs offices in Kerala

Taking a serious note of the CPI(M)-led alliance's move to target it politically, the Customs alleged that a political party was trying to intimidate it

Declaring war against the BJP-led central government over the Customs investigation against its top leaders in connection with dollar smuggling in poll-bound Kerala, the ruling LDF on Saturday organised protest marches towards the offices of the central agency in the state.

Taking a serious note of the CPI(M)-led alliance's move to target it politically, the Customs alleged that a political party was trying to intimidate the investigation agency but made it clear that it will not work.

"A political party trying intimidation, will not work," Customs (Preventive) Commissioner Sumit Kumar wrote on his Facebook page.

He also shared the notices of the LDF announcing the march towards Customs offices in the state.

Read: Customs issues notice to Kerala speaker in dollar smuggling case

A political battle erupted in the state a day after the Customs, probing the gold smuggling case, claimed prime accused Swapna Suresh has made 'shocking revelations' against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and some ministers on dollar 'smuggling' involving UAE consulate officials.

"She has stated with clarity about the smuggling of foreign currency at the instance of the Hon'ble chief minister and the Hon'ble Speaker with the help of the Consulate," the Customs has said in a statement filed in the Kerala high court.

Taking out a march towards Customs offices in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode on Saturday, the CPI(M) alleged that the central agencies were acting as a political tool of the BJP-led central government.

The Left parties charged the central agencies with trying to 'tarnish' the image of their leaders by levelling baseless allegations against them at the time of polls in the state.

The Customs has become propaganda machinery for the BJP and the Congress in the state, they said. Hitting back at the CPI(M), the BJP said the state's ruling party was trying to "befool the people of the state" over the issue.