Migrant labourers attack Police in Ernakulam (Kerala)

15 police injured

3 police vehicles vandalised

Editorial Comment

If the Police are being attacked and killed, then who will protect the general public ? How would the Police protect themselves and the public from terrorists ?

Kochi (Kerala) – Intoxicated workers from Nagaland and Manipur attacked the Police and resorted to violence when Christmas celebrations went violent at the workers’ residential premises of Kitex, a garment manufacturing unit at Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam District. The workers set a Police jeep ablaze and vandalised 2 vehicles. 15 policemen including a Circle Inspector were seriously injured in the clashes. Some of them even had to undergo surgery, but now their condition is stable. The Police are investigating to collect evidence and identify all those involved in the incident, said Superintendent of Police K. Karthik to reporters. The Police have detained around 150 labourers working with Kitex and staying at the residence provided by the company in connection with the incident. The Police have seized narcotics from these labourers.

The violence erupted due to a dispute between the worker groups. After the dispute, they started stone pelting at the local houses. As soon as the Police arrived, the workers attacked them with stones and sticks.

Jacob, the MD of Kitex, said that some groups provide drugs to these workers. The labourers consume these intoxicants and spoil the environment. (If Jacob is aware of drugs being provided by the local groups, then the Police should also know about it, yet if the Police do not take action against them, it is obvious that the Police are hand in glove with them – Editor )