over 4,000 people, including 3,000 students, 150 teachers are protesting
Students of SNDP HSS, Udayamperoor protesting against the attack on their school mate Jishnu by goons belonging to drug mafia in Udayamperoor on Thursday. (Photo: DC )
KOCHI: The police have been hunting for the culprits who attacked S. Jishnu of Thalayazham in Vaikom, a Plus-One student of SNDP higher secondary school, Udayamperoor , on Wednesday. Goons belonging to the drug mafia had come on two bikes and assaulted Jishnu as he was returning home from school.
The mafia was taking revenge on Jishnu for informing the school principal about the sale of tobacco products to the students from a shop near the school. The school authorities in turn alerted the police. Jishnu was admitted to V K M Hospital by the teachers who spotted him on the way. Jishnu, who suffered fracture on his leg and injury to chest, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.
A protest rally by over 4,000 people, including 3,000 students, 150 teachers and social, cultural and political workers was taken out from the school to Nadakkavu junction at Udayamperoor on Thursday demanding the arrest of the culprits and to sensitise the people on the menace.
There were unconfirmed reports that seven people were taken into custody by the police, including three who have been identified as culprits. However, Tripunithura CI C.K. Uthaman denied this saying several people were questioned but not anyone was taken into custody. “Jishnu said one set of people came on a green Karizma and another set on a black Pulsar with a green rim. We have not been able to identify the bikes,” he said.
The owner of the shop from where tobacco products were sold and his son were also questioned in this connection. Police led by SI Bijoy Chandran also seized cigarette and beedi packets from the shop and cases were registered in this regard.
School principal E.G. Babu said that the campaign against the drug mafia would continue and also the protests for arresting the culprits.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has asked the Kochi City Police Commissioner K G James to take over the investigation into the attack on Jishnu (16). He also declared rewards for those who inform police on the secret sale of drugs and related substances. He also said that such people giving information will be given adequate protection.
Meanwhile Excise Minister K Babu has asked the Excise Commissioner to conduct lightning raids on shops near schools and colleges and take action against erring ones that sell tobacco and related products. He also asked the Centre to make the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act more stringent so that possessing ganja above 100 grams and up to one kg also becomes a grave offence.
Babu also said the culprits in the Udayamperoor incident will be arrested soon.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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