Consumerfed board rejects probe report

Kochi: A probe report  by a committee finding  corruption to the tune of Rs 50 crore  in the Consumerfed during the past three years led to demonstrations between rival unions at its  office in Kochi and a police lathicharge on  Tuesday.

The police also attacked  mediapersons  injuring   a   cameraman of a television channel.  The Consumerfed board  rejected the probe report by the  committee headed by  Mr Satheesan Pacheni, Congress leader.

The board meeting held  here on Tuesday amidst dramatic scenes termed the report  as one-sided  without having any consultation with other members of the sub-committee appointed by the board.

It was a repeat of the report prepared by former MD Tomin J. Thachankary,  said Consumerfed president Joy Thomas on Tuesday.

Mr. Satheesan Pacheni, however, said that the report was prepared with the support and cooperation of honest officials. Seeking a detailed probe into the irregularities,  Mr. Pacheni said that Mr Tomin Thachankary and Mr Ratheesh were houn-ded out from the organisation.

The office and surroundings of Consumerfed at Kadavanthara witnessed dramatic scenes with members of rival unions staging protests leading to the  police lathicharge.

The police also attacked mediapersons covering the event resulting in injuries to Sejoy, cameraman of a news channel.

The Ernakulam district unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists condemned the incident and demanded action against the police officials responsible for the attack.

Top police officials assured the media that action would  be taken against the guilty after verifying the incident.