E.P. Jayarajan, a prominent CPI-M politician and Left Convenor, was given a three-week travel ban by IndiGo Airlines on Tuesday, which was criticised by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. On the floor of the state Assembly, Vijayan assailed the airlines, claiming that when he travelled from Kannur to here on June 13, there was a protest aboard the plane with two members of the Youth Congress yelling anti-Vijayan slogans.
“They were trying to harm me but Jayarajan, along with my personal security and staff, stopped the protesters from reaching me. On July 16, the airline without taking the statements of other passengers, in an ex-parte verdict to help the accused (the Youth Congress protesters) failed to protect those who protected me,” said Vijayan.
“The demonstrators were attempting to hurt me, but Jayarajan, my staff, and my personal security prevented them. The airline failed to defend those who defended me on July 16 in an ex-parte ruling to help the accused (the Youth Congress demonstrators), without taking the statements of other passengers “Vijayan stated. After an internal investigation by the airlines, it was discovered on Monday that Jayarajan had received a three-week travel ban, while the two Youth Congress demonstrators had received a two-week ban.
On the Assembly floor this morning, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan brought up the subject of Jayarajan’s travel ban and demanded that a case be filed against him based on the travel ban. At this point, Vijayan said that a plot to attack the Chief Minister had been organised by the Youth Congress and that chat messages had already leaked. K.S. Sabarindhan, the vice-president of the Youth Congress and a two-time former member of the Congress, was detained by the local police for his involvement in the plot to assassinate Vijayan. His chat messages had discussed the protests the Youth Congress members planned to stage inside the aircraft.
There is a large demonstration taking place in front of the police station where Sabarinadhan is currently being held by members of the Youth Congress and a few Congress lawmakers.
IANS
