Communist goons attacked a family, including an eight-month-pregnant woman, claiming that they did not make way for the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) MLA’s car to pass. Serious allegations are being made against G Stephen MLA and the communist militant wing, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) goons. Stephen represents Aruvikkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala.

In the melee, the assailants smashed the victims’ car windows and snatched the lady’s necklace. Bineesh and Neethu, a couple, were the victims of the attack. The family complained to the station against the MLA and the DYFI workers with him.

The incident occurred in front of the Kattakkada Kripa Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Monday. The MLA and his entourage wanted the victims to remove their vehicle, claiming it was blocking them. The family said that a delay in starting their car provoked the communists, and they resorted to violence.

A gang battered their car. The couple also alleged that their necklace was snatched during the conflict. Bineesh suffered injuries on his nose, arms and chest. The complainant and the MLA had come to attend the wedding ceremony. Neethu’s family were leaving after attending the wedding reception.

As their car had problems starting, it stopped in front of MLA Stephen’s car, causing a delay. This sparked a confrontation with DYFI activists, who accused the family of purposefully obstructing the MLA’s entourage.

Meanwhile, Stephen MLA denied the allegation. He claimed he did not ask anyone to make way for his vehicle and added he was not in the car at the time of the incident.

Stephen argued he was in the auditorium when the incident occurred, and the victims clashed with another car driver. The MLA swore that he did not know who was behind the violence.

Manu, Sumit, Adarsh ​​and Anoop surrendered at Kattakkada station. Interestingly, all the four accused were arrested and released on station bail. Many believe Kerala’s law and order situation is in shambles, and the local police are helpless.

The victim alleged that local police initially refused to register a case. They asked Bineesh to bring the medical certificates of his physical injuries.

“We recovered CCTV footage from the location. MLA Stephen was not there at the time. DYFI activists attacked the family and shattered their car window. The SHO of Kattakada police station stated, “We have received a complaint against the DYFI activists.” Why the accused DYFI members were released on station bail remains unexplained.

Local communists are mimicking what their former counterparts in West Bengal are doing. Most communists have joined hands with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in Bengal and now resort to such moral policing.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has supported such goondaism. Last year, protestors who waved black flags at Vijayan posse were handled using the same violent tactics. DYFI goons unleashed violence on the demonstrators.

CPM leaders and Vijayan claimed these goons were involved in ‘rescue operations’ and encouraged the DYFI cadre to continue using the same method. Such statements have encouraged goons to take matters into their own hands.