DCC Member Arrested for Blocking Chief Minister's Vehicle After He Skipped Chatayam Event

Thiruvananthapuram: DCC member Chenthi Anil has been arrested in connection with an incident in which the Chief Minister V D Satheesan's vehicle was blocked after he left without attending a Chatayam day event. Anil was taken into custody around midnight from the venue where the Chatayam celebrations were held, on charges of obstructing official duty and behaving in a disorderly manner. He is to be produced before court at around 11 am.

Police had registered a case against Anil the previous day on charges of obstructing the Chief Minister's official duties, wrongful restraint, misconduct and causing traffic obstruction. Sreekariyam police subsequently took him into custody.

The incident occurred around 6 pm on Friday. Congress workers blocked the CM's vehicle on his way to Chembazhanthy after he left without attending the Chatayam day celebration at Chenthi Sree Narayana Cultural Centre in Sreekariyam. V D Satheesan, who stepped out of the vehicle to speak to the workers who had stopped it, is alleged to have used highly offensive language and behaved badly towards them.

Organisers said they had secured the Chief Minister's confirmation several months in advance and had made all necessary arrangements for the event. When he left without attending on the day itself, the workers came forward to protest. Following the Chief Minister's absence, the organisers also boycotted the event.