Flag, sticks thrown at Oommen Chandy’s convoy
A police officer on the spot denied TV reports that slippers were thrown at the VIP
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday evening faced some embarrassing moments when pro-left activists flung black flags and milled around the open vehicle in which he was riding to the inauguration of a national swimming pool at Pallichal near Vedivechankovil.
A police officer on the spot denied TV reports that slippers were thrown at the VIP.
The incident, considered to be yet another major security lapse in ensuring the CM's security, occurred during the inauguration of the Rajiv Gandhi National Swimming pool.
Mr. Chandy was at the receiving end of stone pelting at Kannur in October 2013.
According to sources, pro-left activists came out in protest while the Chief Minister was being given a reception in an open vehicle at Pallichal.
They had come in search of Finance Minister K M Mani, though.Members of the public in large numbers thronged either side of the road to greet Mr Chandy, while the protesters barged towards his vehicle shouting slogans, mainly pertaining to bar bribery allegations, and waved black flags.
As a police party led by rural SP Shefeen Ahammed tried to prevent the agitators from reaching the Chief Minister, some activists threw sticks at the Chief Minister. Security men immediately covered the CM. He did not sustain any injuries.
Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer and Speaker N Sakthan were also with the Chief Minister. Considering the protest, Finance Minister K M Mani took another route to the venue.
Meanwhile, police sources said that the party workers were advised in advance not to take the Chief Minister in an open jeep because of chances of protest.
Police said that no one was arrested in connection with the incident till late in the evening.