Obstructing cop on duty: 2 CPM leaders remanded

T'puram: CPM Vellalloor local committee secretary R Ratheesh (40) and branch secretary Vishnu (33) were arrested and remanded in judicial custody for allegedly obstructing Nagaroor SHO N Ansar while he was serving notices in a case linked to flex board vandalism.Police registered a case including under sections 132 (obstruction of public servant) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 117(e) of Kerala Police Act.Police had registered a case against nine persons following a confrontation at Jawahar Junction around 3.30pm on Friday.Police said the SHO was serving notices to six DYFI activists in connection with a complaint filed by Congress mandalam president V R Anandukrishnan regarding destruction of flex boards during a protest held after allegations that KSU activists had attacked health minister Veena George in Kannur.While returning after serving notices, a group allegedly intercepted the police vehicle by blocking it with a car and confronted the officer.Police said members of the group verbally abused the SHO, opened the vehicle door and threatened him, allegedly preventing him from discharging official duty. Visuals of the confrontation, captured on mobile phones, were telecast by television news channels and were circulated on social media.Apart from Ratheesh and Vishnu, CPM worker Faizal, the brother of an accused named Irfan, and five other identifiable persons were named in the case.Police said the confrontation was linked to tensions over the SHO's attempt to serve notices to the accused DYFI activists.The situation allegedly escalated even after the officer returned to the station, with some of the accused entering the premises and creating a disturbance, police said."No one should think that the morale of police can be undermined. Violence or intimidation against police personnel performing official duty will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken and those responsible will face maximum legal consequences," state police chief Rawada Chandrasekhar said. Kerala Police Officers Association (KPOA) also condemned the incident.KPOA general secretary C R Biju said, "Preventing police officers from discharging their lawful duties is extremely regrettable. While protests are part of democracy, threatening or obstructing officers serving notices cannot be justified. Registering cases and serving notices are part of lawful police procedures. Any attempt to intimidate officers performing official duties is unacceptable and deserves strict legal action."Police said further investigation was under way and the remaining accused would be arrested soon.