Kochi rally traffic chaos: 12 Muslim Youth League leaders, including MLA, booked

Kochi: A case has been registered against 12 Muslim Youth League leaders, including its state president Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal and MLA Fathima Thahiliya, in connection with a rally organised as part of its state conference that allegedly caused traffic obstruction here, police said on Monday.

The case was registered by Ernakulam Central Police following a rally organised by the Muslim Youth League state committee from Bolgatty to the Kerala High Court Junction on Sunday.

According to the FIR, around 2,000 people took part in the rally, which began at Goshree Junction in Bolgatty around 4 pm and reached Marine Drive around 5.30 pm.

The rally allegedly caused obstruction to vehicular and pedestrian movement along Shanmukham Road near High Court Junction, the FIR stated.

The other 12 accused include state general secretary MLA PK Firoz, treasurer P Ismayil, vice-presidents Mujeeb Kaderi, Faisal Bafaqui Thangal, Ashraf Edaneer and KA Mahin, and secretaries CK Muhammadali, Naseer Karyara, Gafoor Kolkkalathil and TPM Jishan.

The case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Procession) Act, 2011.

Police had announced traffic diversions in Kochi city on Sunday in connection with the rally.

Police said that even though permission was granted to organise the rally that would occupy a portion of the road, the instructions were not followed, causing severe traffic congestion.

Also, there was a clash between people taking part in the rally and motorists over honking and not giving way, following which the police intervened to avert violence.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said the Muslim Youth League had changed the route of its rally in Kochi following his request to avoid major traffic congestion.

"In fact, I am congratulating them. The original plan was to organise the rally from Kaloor to Marine Drive, which would have caused major traffic congestion. But when the police and I requested them, they changed the route," he said.

Industries Minister and senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty said no controversy should be created over the rally.

He said the case registered by the police was part of routine procedure.

"The rally was held for a greater cause," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Mathrubhumi and is published from a syndicated feed.)