Protest ensues in Pathanamthitta over SI’s alleged attack on wedding group

Pathanamthitta, Kerala: Protests broke out in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday following an alleged police assault on a group of people returning from a wedding reception. The Congress and Youth Congress have strongly condemned the incident, demanding that strict action be taken against the officers involved.

In response, party organised a protest march to the Pathanamthitta police station.

The incident took place around 11:30 pm on Tuesday near the KSRTC bus stand in Pathanamthitta. According to reports, a police team led by Sub-Inspector (SI) S. Jinu allegedly attacked the group, including women, of people returning from a wedding reception. Witnesses claim that some of the victims were beaten even after falling to the ground.

This incident follows an earlier altercation involving SI Jinu. On January 28, the officer was reportedly assaulted by a Plus Two student at the Pathanamthitta bus stand. The police said SI Jinu had questioned the student for loitering in the area, which led the student to grab him by the neck and throw him to the ground. The student was later arrested.

Authorities had received complaints that female students were verbally harassed at the bus stand, which led SI Jinu and his team to conduct a patrol. When the officer asked a student to leave the area, the student allegedly confronted him, questioning his authority. As SI Jinu attempted to escort him to the police jeep, the student suddenly attacked him from behind. The officer sustained injuries to his head, and his uniform was torn in the scuffle. With the help of fellow officers, SI Jinu managed to take the student to the police station.

A group returning from a wedding in Kollam stopped near the KSRTC bus stand in Pathanamthitta to drop off a passenger when a police team arrived to intervene in an altercation outside a nearby bar. Without verifying the situation, the officers allegedly began assaulting members of the wedding party.

Among the injured was Sithara, a resident of Kottayam, who sustained injuries to her hand and shoulder. Another victim suffered a head injury. Both victims are currently receiving treatment at Pathanamthitta General Hospital.