Thiruvananthapuram: Chaos ensued in Kerala as widespread protests erupted following the arrest of state Youth Congress president, Rahul Mamkootathil, from his residence near Adoor in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. The arrest, conducted by the Kerala Police, led to immediate demonstrations by Youth Congress workers across the state.
Mamkootathil was apprehended by a team of police officials associated with the Cantonment Police station in Thiruvananthapuram.
Expressing surprise over the manner in which the arrest transpired, Mamkootathil’s mother recounted the early morning incident. “They did not ring the doorbell but entered my house straightaway. Despite my best efforts to know the reason for the arrest, the police officials said they were taking orders from higher-ups and took him with them,” she said.
She voiced deep concern about her son’s arrest, stating, “It’s a matter of deep concern as my son is the one who does politics in the right manner. He was taken away as if he had committed a heinous crime.”
Sources indicate that Mamkootathil’s arrest is linked to his involvement as an accused in a massive Youth Congress protest rally held last month in the state capital against the perceived high-handedness of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The protest rally resulted in damage to police vehicles, with Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan listed as the first accused and Mamkootathil as the third accused.
Local party associates of Mamkootathil staged a protest by lying down in front of the police jeep transporting him.
Criticism has been directed at the manner in which the arrest was carried out, raising concerns about the perceived arrogance of the Vijayan government. Local leaders highlight that Mamkootathil has a track record of willingly cooperating with the police whenever required in the past.