Thiruvalla: A leader of the Nithin Raj Action Council was remanded in custody on Wednesday after a cancer patient and his wife were allegedly stopped at the Thiruvalla KSRTC bus stand during the Kerala hartal organised by the council on Tuesday.

Ajimon Chalakkeril, Pathanamthitta district vice-president of the Action Council and a native of Chumathra, Thiruvalla, faces charges including attempt to murder.

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Background to the protest

The Action Council was formed following the death of Kannur dental college student Nithin, who was found dead, reportedly by suicide. The case has seen allegations related to caste and colour, which triggered protests and the hartal.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in front of the Thiruvalla bus stand. The patient and his wife had arrived from Angamaly and were travelling to a private hospital in Kozhencherry for treatment.

Services towards Kozhencherry were disrupted as hartal supporters blocked buses. Despite being informed about the patient’s condition, the protesters did not allow the bus to proceed.

The patient was later taken to Kozhencherry in a police vehicle. 

Arrests and remand

Police acted following directions from the Kerala High Court to take strict action over untoward incidents during the hartal. A complaint was filed by the patient’s wife too.

10 people were arrested in connection with the incident, with nine released on station bail.

Ajimon was remanded on Wednesday afternoon and shifted to Mavelikkara sub-jail.