Thiruvananthapuram, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan expressed strong disapproval on Saturday regarding the detention of CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by Delhi police. He instructed state Chief Secretary Vishwanath Sinha and the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi, Puneet Kumar, to coordinate with police officials for Vijayan’s immediate release.
In a social media post, Satheesan voiced his deep concern over what he termed Vijayan’s arbitrary detention, noting that the leader is currently held at the Mandir Marg police station. “On my instructions, the Chief Secretary of Kerala and the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi are in direct contact with Delhi police officials to take all necessary steps for his immediate release,” he stated.
Satheesan’s intervention comes amid reports that Vijayan was held in a police vehicle for about three and a half hours before being taken to the police station. This prolonged detention reportedly caused physical discomfort to the veteran leader.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas, who accompanied Vijayan, criticized the police for not considering his age and for failing to provide him with food and necessary medications. Brittas further alleged that the police were refusing to release the leaders without directives from higher authorities.
Delhi police clarified that Vijayan and others had not been formally arrested and would be released soon. The incident occurred as CPI(M) leaders and activists prepared to march from Kerala House in New Delhi to protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
In addition to Vijayan, police also detained senior CPI(M) leaders including General Secretary M.A. Baby, State Secretary M.V. Govindan, P.K. Shrimathi, K.K. Shailaja, and Politburo member Vijay Krishnan, along with leaders from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the Students Federation of India.
The arrest of these senior leaders prompted protests from those accompanying Vijayan, including former Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal and Brittas. They alleged that their objections were ignored as they were kept in a vehicle for hours.
Satheesan’s intervention has established direct communication between the Kerala government and Delhi police, as concerns grow regarding the treatment of the former Chief Minister during the protest.
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