Cong alleges conspiracy in P V Anvar's arrest

Thiruvananthapuram

The Congress party criticized Kerala's Left government over the arrest of independent legislator P V Anvar, accusing the government of orchestrating a high-level conspiracy behind the police action. Anvar was arrested in connection with an attack on a forest office following a protest over the death of a tribal man in a wild elephant attack.

The Congress called the arrest politically motivated, suggesting it was retaliation by the ruling CPI(M) after Anvar recently severed ties with them. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan stated that the arrest was a clear message to anyone opposing the government, and termed it part of CPI(M)'s retaliatory politics. He also expressed support for Anvar’s protest, citing concerns about recurring man-animal conflicts and criticizing the government’s amendments to the Forest Rights Act.

KPCC Chief K Sudhakaran condemned the arrest, claiming it showed unnecessary haste and a clear political conspiracy. On Sunday, Anvar and others were charged with vandalizing the District Forest Office in Nilambur after staging a protest. Anvar accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of orchestrating the action, and was later remanded to judicial custody. Anvar has filed a bail petition, seeking release.