Latest news with #Saseendran
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nilambur bypoll: Teen's death sparks blame game
Kozhikode: The death of 15-year-old Anandu, who was electrocuted by a live wire trap at Vazhikkadavu, sparked a political row between UDF and LDF amid Nilambur byelection. UDF blamed the state govt linking the incident to rising man-animal conflicts in the high-range constituency and blocked the state highway at Nilambur on Saturday night in protest. LDF alleged a political conspiracy behind the incident. Forest minister AK Saseendran even suggested it might have been staged to gain political mileage. The minister's remarks, later echoed by CPM leaders and party state secretary MV Govindan, led Congress and IUML workers to intensify their protests and burn Saseendran in effigy at Vazhikkadavu. Youth Congress activists also staged a protest outside Kozhikode guest house where the minister was staying. "Even before residents came to know about the incident protests began in Malappuram. This raises suspicion of UDF's attempts to use it as a campaign issue in Nilambur against LDF. A clear political conspiracy is emerging as it is election time and everyone knows who is the beneficiary. One cannot say it is illogical if they think it was carried out to protect the interests of those who benefit from such a controversy or if the incident was deliberately created to revive their campaigns which have run out of issues" alleged Saseendran. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo KPCC chief Sunny Joseph termed his remarks absurd and cruel. "The minister is a failure in addressing man-animal conflicts and is now shifting the blame on others. What happened was painful and the minister was stupid to call it a conspiracy. He doesn't have time to address such an issue and gives inhuman statements" he said, adding that the minister should prove his conspiracy charges or resign from his post. Govindan too echoed Saseendran's views saying the way UDF turned the incident into a political weapon raises suspicion. He added that the phone call records of the accused should be examined. Following the incident, candidates Aryadan Shoukath, M Swaraj, PV Anvar and Mohan George visited Anandu's home. UDF candidate Shoukath said Anandu was a martyr of unaddressed man-animal conflicts in the area and raised suspicion whether the practice of illegally drawing power from KSEB lines to set up traps was being done with its knowledge. "It is a govt-sponsored murder" he claimed. LDF candidate M Swaraj said exploiting a tragedy for electoral gains is inhuman. He said there were no protests when a person affiliated to Congress died in a similar mishap in the area two months ago. "How can deaths be politicized? It is inhuman to politically exploit such incidents" he added. CPM politburo member A Vijayaraghavan said UDF-ruled Vazhikkadavu panchayat had not acted promptly by engaging shooters and alleged that UDF was using tragic deaths for political gains.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
No probe against Kerala MLA who 'freed' man from forest dept custody: Minister
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Forests Minister A K Saseendran on Saturday said that his department was not going to carry out any investigation into CPI MLA K U Jenish Kumar's recent act of allegedly forcing release of a man in custody of forest officials in connection with the electrocution of a wild elephant. The minister said that no department in the government has any authority to order an investigation against the MLA. With regard to the complaint to the police by a Forest Range Officer against Kumar accusing the MLA of threatening him, Saseendran said that he came to know unofficially that an FIR was registered based on it. "But the police cannot take any further steps without the sanction of the State Assembly Speaker," he told a TV channel here. At the same time, he also said that neither he nor the department have taken any decision on whether to interfere with the Range Officer's complaint. Regarding the recent criticism of forest officials by CPI state secretary M V Govindan at a press conference held here, the minister said the Left veteran's remarks must be based on some information he has received. "I will seriously examine the suggestions that have come from him ," Saseendran said. The elephant was found dead at a pineapple plantation in an area under the jurisdiction of the Padam Forest Station in the Konni Nadvathummoozhy range. Forest officials had taken a man for questioning after suspecting that high-voltage current from a solar fence installed on farmland leased for pineapple cultivation had caused the elephant's death. Upon learning of the detention, the Konni MLA had arrived at the Padam forest office and confronted the officials and demanded the man's release, which was eventually granted. Video footage from the scene has since emerged and according to it, the MLA had allegedly shouted at and threatened the officials. During the confrontation, he had reportedly removed the man from Forest Department custody by force. In the footage aired by news channels, the MLA was heard angrily questioning the officials: "Are you arresting innocent people on false charges? Don't abuse your authority. Are you even human? Was this detention lawful? Where is the arrest report?" He had also warned the officials, claiming, "The Naxalites will return". Kumar had later defended his actions, claiming that he had intervened after learning that a migrant worker had been unfairly detained by forest officials over the death of the elephant.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Meet on Thrissur Pooram discusses safety aspects
A high-level meeting chaired by Forest and Wildlife Minister A.K. Saseendran on Friday emphasised the government's commitment to conducting the Thrissur Pooram festival without setbacks. The meeting, held at the collectorate, brought together key stakeholders to discuss arrangements and safety measures ahead of the Pooram. Mr. Saseendran said steps would be taken to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for the public. Referring to recent incidents of mistreating elephants and the animals turning violent on temple premises, he stressed the need to create a safe and fear-free environment for the Pooram lovers. The Minister added that official directives would be issued only with the knowledge and approval of the District Collector, ensuring transparency and consensus. He urged collaboration from all parties involved — including the Pooram organising committee and elephant owners — to maintain high safety standards. The Chief Wildlife Warden has been tasked with overseeing daily operations, with the Ernakulam Regional CCF required to submit daily reports on the progress. Elephant parades Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who joined the meeting online, called for a compassionate approach from the Forest department regarding elephant parades. He acknowledged the concern among elephant owners about changing rules and emphasised that sharing mahout details with the police would not be a cause for concern. Forest Conservator Indu Vijayan presented detailed guidelines for managing elephant processions, and it was announced that the department's Rapid Response Team (RRT) would be active during the festival. District Collector Arjun Pandian told the meeting that preparations were in full swing and designated the Additional District Magistrate as the point of contact for all festival-related needs. The Cochin Devaswom Board stated that all constituent Poorams have been instructed to adhere strictly to the festival schedule. The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms requested an extension of the elephant inspection timeline. The Minister directed the District Monitoring Committee to look into this and consider deploying additional squads if necessary.
