Malappuram: Nilambur MLA P V Anvar, who was arrested yesterday by the police for causing damage to government property worth Rs 35,000, was granted bail by Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Monday.
Anvar was accused of vandalizing the Divisional Forest Office in Nilambur,, and assaulting police officers on duty at the office. About 40 activists led by Anvar had taken out a march towards the Divisional Forest Office on Sunday, raised slogans, and staged a dharna.
The protest was against the death of a tribal man named Mani, who was killed in an elephant attack in the district.
Anvar was arrested by a police team his residence in Othayi on Sunday night. "The police treated me like a terrorist. If they had served a notice, I would have voluntarily appeared before them," he said.
The Nilambur MLA has been campaigning against the failure of the forest department to prevent deaths caused by wild animals in various parts of the state.
Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran defended the arrest, stating that it was carried out according to the law. He emphasized that the police action was lawful and should not be connected to other incidents.
The opposition Congress criticized the government for treating the MLA harshly. Veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala condemned the government, stating that there was no justification for arresting an MLA at midnight for participating in a protest.
