Kochi : Docked in tight spot following non-bailable charges relating to attack on actor Joju George, the Congress leadership is desperate for a compromise. “I have spoken with some of Joju’s friends. Matters can be sorted out over talks,” said Kochi DCC President Muhammad Shiyas. The change of heart comes amid police’s move to take guilty leaders into arrest.
Joju was attacked by Congress workers in Kochi when he questioned hour-long traffic blockade caused by their traffic-crippling flash protest. He spoke of the hardships the situation was psoing to people on way to work, hospital and other emergencies. A gang of workers led by former mayor Tony Chammany then descnded on the scene. They shouted abuses and smashed Joju’s car, breaking its window panes using stones. The public outrage on the incident was instant but even so, some Congress leaders including KPCC president K. Sudhakar justified the protest, workers’ conduct and went a step further to tarnish Joju’s image with false allegations. Sudkhakaran, in his televised outburst, called Joju a ‘goonda’ and said the actor was drunk and shouting profanities at the scene. Blood tests done on Joju, who has reportedly abstained from drinking for months now, turned negative. The tide against outspoken Congress leaders grew further high with more visual footages on the incident surfacing and all allegations levelled against Joju soon fell apart.
Arraigned in the case are eight Congress men including former mayor Tony Chammany, KPCC Vice president VP Sajeendran. Since registration of the case, all accused switched off their mobiles and are currently hiding, said police. Congress worker and Vyttila native PG Joseph arrested two days ago was sent into remand on Wednesday. The case is being probed by a team overseen by Ernakulam ACP Nizammudin. With mobiles switched off, it has gotten difficult to track the culprits via tower location, said the ACTP. .According to source, the men in hiding are trying to eke out anticipatory bail.
