Kerala’s new government has ordered a re-investigation into the 2023 Alappuzha incident where Youth Congress workers were brutally assaulted by the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his Nava Kerala Yatra. SP Shaukat Ali has been appointed to lead the special investigation team.

The incident took place near the Janasaputhri Junction in Alappuzha when Youth Congress state secretary Ajay Juvval Thomas and KSDU district president AD Thomas were protesting with black flags as the CM’s convoy passed by. Instead of being handled by local police, the CM’s gunmen and security personnel reportedly got out of their vehicles and brutally beat the protesters with batons.

CCTV footage of the assault went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage across Kerala. Despite clear video evidence, the previous police investigation had attempted to close the case citing lack of evidence. The victims themselves had to produce the CCTV footage in court, after which the court ordered a fresh investigation.

SP Shaukat Ali, who is known for arresting CPM district secretary P Mohanan in the TP murder case and apprehending Kodiyeri’s close aide Kodi Suni, will lead the six-member SIT. DYSP Baiju Paulose, who handled the high-profile actor assault case, will oversee the investigation alongside Shaukat Ali. The team also includes CI Thozhason, SIs Jayakrishnan, Deenadayal Mallan, and Amritanand.

Kerala Police Chief Iravada Chandrashekar met with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala before constituting the special team. The investigating officers have been directed to submit their report within one month.

The video commentary notes that five or six uniformed police personnel were present at the scene but did not intervene to stop the assault. The commentator demands a fair investigation and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators within 15 days, stressing that such politically motivated police brutality has no place in Kerala’s law enforcement system.