The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded action against police officers who allegedly tortured its workers after they were arrested over the violence in Nettayam in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, BJP vice-president and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R. Sreelekha said that the party will go ahead with legal measures as well as strong protests until its demands are met.
A clash broke out between the BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] workers at Malamukal, near Nettayam. Several people were booked in connection with two cases that were registered by the Vattiyurkavu police, one of which pertains to the attack on police officers who rushed to the spot to restore calm in the region. Six BJP workers were apprehended from a temple in Edapazhanji in connection with the particular case.
‘Peace talks’
BJP district president Karamana Jayan, who also spoke at the press conference, said that the workers were arrested when the party leaders were holding peace talks with the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City). Ms. Sreelekha also objected to the police officers entering the temple premises to arrest the six BJP members. She claimed that those arrested were not accused. According to her, the police cannot enter places of worship without permission.
