Did Kerala CPI-M MLA Take the Law into His Own Hands by Freeing a Man from Forest Officials' Custody?

Synopsis
CPI-M MLA K.U. Jenish Kumar's forceful intervention to release a detained man from forest officials has raised serious questions about political interference in law enforcement. As the incident unfolds, public outrage grows, demanding accountability and clarity in the face of this blatant act of defiance.
Key Takeaways
- Highhandedness displayed by a political figure.
- Concerns over police inaction.
- Public outrage demanding accountability.
- The need for law enforcement independence.
- Political interference in legal matters.
Pathanamthitta, May 14 (NationPress) In an alarming act of highhandedness, CPI-M legislator K.U. Jenish Kumar on Wednesday burst into a Forest Department office located in Konni, his constituency, and forcefully liberated a man who had been detained by forest officials.
The two-time MLA not only verbally attacked the officials but also issued threats of violence.
Video footage of this incident has ignited public outrage, showcasing Kumar making threats of a ‘Naxal’ attack and cautioning that the forest station would be set ablaze if such actions continued.
His behavior, characterized by blatant defiance and aggression, has left forest personnel and the public in shock.
Adding to the controversy is the apparent presence of police officers who accompanied Kumar during this event. Despite witnessing the intimidation and illegal actions, the police reportedly chose not to intervene.
Kumar was believed to be furious after the forest officials detained a man affiliated with a pineapple farmer.
In Kerala, it is not uncommon for landowners—particularly those with rubber plantations—to lease their land for pineapple cultivation, often as an intercrop while rubber saplings mature over three years.
Parts of Konni, Kumar’s constituency, are adjacent to forested areas and frequently experience wildlife incursions, notably by elephants.
To combat this, many farmers install electric fences for crop protection. Recently, one such fence resulted in the tragic electrocution of a wild elephant.
Following this incident, forest officials detained an individual linked to the pineapple farm involved, the very person Kumar unlawfully released, circumventing all legal protocols.
Forest officials have voiced deep concern regarding Kumar’s actions and are particularly troubled by the police's inaction during the incident.
This occurrence has sparked calls for accountability and intensified worries about political meddling in law enforcement.