The Special Squad of the Kozhikode Rural Police on Thursday took into custody several leaders of a local action committee that had led a recent series of protests against a private slaughterhouse waste processing company at Ambayathode near Thamarassery in Kozhikode district.
Door-to-door searches were carried out following preliminary investigative reports that the attack on senior police officers and the disruption of emergency services were pre-planned. A search has been intensified in Kattippara and Kodenchery panchayats for more than 50 persons who were caught on cameras at different places allegedly attacking the police.
Police have already registered more than 500 identifiable persons accused of involvement in the clash that broke out in Ambayathode on 21 October. The investigation was initiated under the direct supervision of senior police officers led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Kannur Range) Yathish Chandra.
T. Meharoof, a local leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, was named as the main accused in the First Information Report. Special units were also formed to target more suspects after examining CCTV visuals at the scene.
Senior police officers including Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode Rural) KE Baiju sustained injuries during the encounter. The clash occurred when the police tried to disperse protesters who were holding an agitation against the alleged environmental pollution caused by the factory. The total loss was ₹5 crore as per initial estimates.
Based on the preliminary investigation report, the DIG said it was an “organised attack” on police officers using women and children as shields. He also made it clear that the attackers would be brought to light through a scientific investigation with the support of various investigation teams as 16 policemen, including the Station House Officer of Thamarassery Police Station, sustained serious injuries in the incident.
Several vehicles, including trucks, autorickshaws and motorcycles, were set on fire by the protesters. This was in addition to private vehicles damaged by stone pelting and vandalism. According to police sources, the cases were registered under sections 109 (attempt to murder) and 191 (rioting) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police officers attached to the investigation said the protesters behaved in a very “inhuman manner” when they set fire to part of the waste processing plant while many workers were busy with their work. After reviewing the video footage taken at the scene, they pointed out that there were deliberate attempts to block the fire engines at the scene and endanger the police officers who were trying to control the situation.
Published – 23 Oct 2025 20:03 IST
