Malayalam film actor Joju George on Monday confronted Congress party workers for blocking a busy National Highway in Kochi in protest against rising fuel prices.
Malayalam actor Joju George said the mode of protest by blocking the road was not acceptable. (Photo: Facebook/JojuGeorge)
A protest against fuel price hike organised by Kerala Congress workers in Kochi on Monday saw high drama after Malayalam film actor Joju George confronted party workers for blocking a busy National Highway in the city. The Congress workers also vandalised the actor’s car.
According to news agency PTI, Joju George’s car got trapped in the Vyttila area as the protesters blocked the Edappally-Vytilla highway. Geoge and other commuters urged the protesters to end the agitation as it was causing difficulties for them.
However, this led to a clash between Joju George and Congress workers who allegedly smashed the glass of his vehicle. The Congress workers alleged that the actor was in an inebriated state and “misbehaved” with the women workers of the party.
The Congress also filed a complaint against the actor, due to which he was taken to the police station. The police also took his vehicle into custody and made him undergo a medical examination.
The police also said action would be taken against those who shattered the glass of his vehicle.
“Action would be taken against the culprits after examining the video footage of the incidents. No written permission was sought for the agitation but there was enough police deployment after coming to know about the protest through the media,” PTI quoted a police officer as saying.
However, District Congress Committee (DCC) president Mohammed Shiyas claimed that the 30-minute road blocking protest was organised after giving notice to the police and publicising it through the media.
Shiyas further alleged that Joju George was in a drunken state and misbehaved with women workers of the party.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran condemned Joju George’s action and sought legal action against him.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Joju George said the mode of protest by blocking the road was not acceptable and alleged that the local Congress leaders abused him.
Calling the protests “shameful”, George added that such agitations should not be repeated again as they affect people who venture out of their houses for their various needs.
(With inputs from PTI)
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