Palakkad:

A procession in Kerala’s Palakkad district displaying images of Hamas leaders during an annual cultural fest drew sharp criticism on the social media.

The banners, carried atop elephants by a group of youths, were part of the “Thrithala Fest” in Thrithala, Palakkad, on Sunday evening.

One year ago, when @BJP4Keralam warned against a rally in Kerala where a Hamas leader virtually participated, the LDF govt took no action. Now, in Palakkad, at a Urus festival, terrorists who killed thousands were glorified—pictures of Ismail Haniyeh & Yahya Sinwar were paraded… pic.twitter.com/eBRfTJvMX9

— K Surendran (@surendranbjp) February 17, 2025

The display of the images led to heated discussions on the social media, with some alleging the event was linked to a religious festival and many questioning the organisers for allowing such banners.

The participation of Minister MB Rajesh, who is also the MLA from Thrithala, and Congress leader and former MLA VT Balram has further fuelled the debate.

However, a person, who is part of the organising committee and wishes to remain anonymous, accused a section of young people of attempting to trigger a communal issue over the procession, which is in no way connected to a religious festival.

In a Facebook post, Congress leader Balram criticised a section of the media for allegedly using the controversy surrounding the Thrithala Fest to target the Muslim community and Kerala, even at the national level.

He stated that all Indians who are not affiliated with the Sangh Parivar support the Palestinian people and their aspirations for independence.

The Congress leader said that whether Hamas leaders should be glorified is a separate issue but condemned the Sangh Parivar for allegedly using the matter as part of an anti-Muslim hate campaign. “Thrithala will stand united against such divisive attempts,” he wrote.

Clarifying the nature of the festival, he stated that ‘Thrithala Fest’ is an annual public celebration of the region, not a religious event linked to any mosque or place of worship.

He noted that the festival’s organising committee includes representatives from various religious and political backgrounds. Leaders from various parties, officials, and tourists regularly participate in the event.

He also mentioned that a festival supplement had included congratulatory messages from Minister M B Rajesh, MP Abdusamad Samadani, himself, the BJP constituency president, and others. This would serve as evidence that ‘Thrithala Fest’ is a national event rather than a religious gathering, he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday demanded that a case be registered against the event’s organisers.

BJP state president K Surendran termed the incident “shocking” and accused both the ruling and opposition parties of appeasement politics.

He also linked the episode to a past event where a Hamas leader allegedly addressed a gathering in Kerala.

The police stated that the incident took place within the Thrithala police station limits. No case has been registered as no complaints have been received yet, they said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thiruvananthapuram:

The Kerala General Education Department has initiated legal action against a YouTuber for allegedly encouraging students to skip school “to avoid wasting time”.

Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Wednesday that the department has lodged a complaint with the police regarding the matter.

According to a statement from the minister’s office, the YouTuber urged students not to attend school as public examinations are approaching in March.

After coming across the YouTube post, the minister directed the Director of Public Instruction to intervene.

Following this, the Deputy Director of Education in Pathanamthitta lodged a complaint with the district police chief seeking action against the YouTuber.

In the statement, Sivankutty emphasised that meeting the required attendance is mandatory for students to appear for the examinations. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pathanamthitta:

In another case of alleged sexual abuse involving a minor girl in Pathanamthitta district, the police arrested four individuals on Saturday.

The Adoor police have registered nine cases based on the statement of a 17-year-old girl and arrested four people in connection with four of these cases, according to a release issued by the police.

District Police Chief V G Vinod Kumar stated that a total of eight accused have been identified, and orders have been given to arrest all of them soon.

The incident came to light during a counselling session conducted by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) at the girl’s school.

According to the girl’s statement, the first instance of alleged abuse was perpetrated by a resident of Adhikattukulangara. Later, the girl was sexually abused by friends, classmates, relatives, and others.

The incident occurred between April and September of last year, according to the police.

A teacher learned about the matter from the school counsellor and informed the Principal, who then alerted the Child Welfare Committee. Following this, the Adoor police recorded the girl’s statement the next day, the release said.

The arrested individuals were questioned in detail and produced in a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days, police added.

This case has been transferred to the Nooranadu police for further investigation, the release added.

Earlier this month, the police had arrested 57 of the 59 individuals accused in the alleged sexual abuse and gang rape of an 18-year-old Dalit girl over five years in Pathanamthitta district. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thrissur:

Three people were arrested on Saturday in connection with the death of a man from Kerala, who had joined the military support service in Russia.

Sandeep Thomas, Sumesh Antony, and Sibi, all natives of Thrissur, were arrested for allegedly recruiting youths to Russia with promises of high-paying jobs, police said.

The trio was summoned by the Wadakkanchery police, who made the arrests after detailed interrogations.

The arrests followed a complaint filed by Joicy John, the wife of Binil T B, who died while serving in the Russian Military Support Service, and Kurian, the father of Jain T K, who was injured and is currently undergoing treatment in Moscow.

The accused have been charged under the Emigration Act, human trafficking, and cheating, police said.

Binil (32) and Jain (27), both ITI mechanical diploma holders, traveled to Russia on April 4 with the hope of working as electricians and plumbers. However, upon arrival, their Indian passports were confiscated, and they were subsequently deployed to the war zone as part of the Russian Military Support Service, according to relatives.

Binil had informed his family that he and his companion were assigned to front-line service on the war front.

The news of Binil’s death came on January 13, as efforts continued to repatriate him and his cousin-in-law, Jain, who were stranded in the Russia-Ukraine war zone.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Police launched an inspection of the house following a tip-off. (Representational)

An 11-year-old girl was killed and 17 others injured when the school bus in which they were travelling overturned at Valakkai near Sreekandapuram in Kannur on Wednesday (January 1, 2025) evening. The deceased was identified as Nedya S. Rajesh, a Standard 5 student.

The bus was carrying children from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kurumathur.

The bus reportedly lacked fitness certificate.

A Class 5 student was killed after a school bus she was travelling in flipped over in Kerala’s Kannur on Wednesday.

The incident took place at around 4pm in Valakkai in Sreekantapuram, when the bus belonging to Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Kurumathur panchayat, with 15 students onboard, was travelling down a slope while entering a highway. The students were getting dropped home after school.

According to the police, 11-year-old Nedya S Rajesh was thrown out of the bus and crushed under the wheels after the driver lost control. Sources said an alleged brake failure caused the accident but the police said a detailed probe is underway. 

Thirteen students, who sustained injuries, were rushed to Taliparamba Taluk Hospital by local residents for treatment. The girl’s body was shifted to Government Medical College at Pariyaram.

There was no immediate comment from the school authorities. 

Police said a case under sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 125 (A) (endanger human life or personal safety due to negligence or recklessness), and 106 (1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered against the driver.

Meanwhile, the residents blamed the “unscientific design” of the road for the accident and alleged such incidents occur frequently in the area.

Four school students were killed after a speeding truck mowed them down in Kerala’s Palakkad on Thursday, police said. 

The incident took place at around 4pm at Panayampadam near Kalladikode, when the girls were waiting for a bus to return home after school hours.

According to the police, the cement-laden truck was reportedly speeding when it lost control and veered off the road. The vehicle then fell on its side and crushed the children.

Preliminary information suggested the victims were students of a Higher Secondary School near the accident spot, news agency PTI reported.

The deaths sparked a protest from local residents, who claimed the road on which the accident happened was not scientifically designed. They claimed the spot is infamous for road accidents and that the authorities overlooked their complaints.

Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil said he will raise the matter with the authorities.

Kozhikode:

A 20-year-old man died after being hit by a speeding luxury car while filming reels of it on the beach road here on Tuesday, police said.

The person who died has been identified as Alvin from Vadakara. He was the only child of his parents.

According to the police, the accident occurred around 7.30 am on the beach road under the limits of the Vellayil police station.

Alvin, who had recently returned from abroad, was recording promotional reels for a showroom that sells accessories for high-end cars.

Alvin, who was filming the video, was struck by the speeding car that threw him away, causing serious injuries. He was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to injuries by 11.30 am.

A police officer said that two cars–a Land Rover Defender and a Mercedes-Benz–brought from the showroom were seized.

An investigation is underway to determine which car was involved in the accident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kollam:

In a shocking incident that unfolded at Chemmamukku in Kollam, a 44-year-old woman died after her 60-year-old husband allegedly set on fire to the vehicle in which she was travelling in, along with a man, Kerala Police said.

The incident took place on Tuesday at around 8:30 pm, they said adding that the man has been admitted to hospital with burn injuries.

The woman identified as Anila (44) from Thazhuthala, succumbed to her injuries on the spot and the accused, Padmarajan (60), surrendered to the Kollam East police shortly afterwards.

Anila was travelling in her car with a male colleague when Padmarajan intercepted their vehicle in a van and allegedly threw petrol into the car through the window and set it on fire. Both vehicles were completely destroyed in the blaze.

According to the police, the motive behind the crime appears to be familial discord. Padmarajan suspected Anila of having an illicit relationship with her business partner with whom she co-owned a bakery. The suspicion allegedly drove him to commit the act.

The police have launched an investigation, and Padmarajan remains in custody.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)