A good section of students youth organizations are drinkers, Kerala turning hub for drugs, says Minister M V Govindan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister M V Govindan said that a good section of students youth organizations are good drinkers. The minister said they are good drinkers and not small ones. He said the students of high schools, higher secondary, college and professional colleges should be subjected to an awareness against alcoholism without any self-deception. He said that Kerala is becoming a drug hub.

The minister said this while speaking on the occasion of International Anti-Drug Day. The drug reaches the state by sea. Drugs reach the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra by sea. He said drugs worth Rs 1,500 crore were seized from a single boat in the state. Minister M V Govindan said that at least the new generation of children should be made aware of all these.

SFI activists attack Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad; police resort to lathi charge

WAYANAD: SFI march in Kalpetta alleging that Rahul Gandhi was not interfering in the buffer zone order has turned violent. The SFI activists stormed into Rahul Gandhi's office and vandalized several objects. Following this, the police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the activists. Nearly 50 SFI activists, including women members, participated in the march. The SFI organized the march by alleging that Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi was behaving like a guest in the buffer zone issue. After marching through the Kalpetta town, the SFI activists stormed into Rahul Gandhi's office in the Civil Station. Although police initially tried to prevent the activists from entering the building, the activists entered the building from the back and stormed into the office which was situated on the second floor of the building. Congress alleged that the SFI activists had damaged the shutters of the office, smashed the window panes and manhandled the office staff.

Young female lawyer found dead in Kottarakkara, relatives allege mystery in death

KOLLAM: A young female advocate was found hanging in Kottarakkara. She has been identified as Ashtami Ajith Kumar (25) of Kadavoor. She was found hanging in her house Thursday afternoon. Ashtami, daughter of Ajith Kumar and Rena of Maroor Ashtami, was practicing in Kottarakkara Court since January 2022.

Ashtami was alone at home at the time of the incident. She was found hanging when her parents reached home in the evening. She was soon taken to Kottarakkara taluk hospital but was declared dead.

Relatives have raised suspicion on her death. The police have launched an investigation on the complaint of her family. Her phone has been taken into custody for inspection. The preliminary conclusion is that her death is not a murder.

Anitha Pullayil’s entry into Assembly complex was a mistake, says Speaker; action against four contract employees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The entry of Anitha Pullayil, arraigned in the antiques fraud case, into the assembly complex, was a mistake and action has been taken against the four persons responsible for it, said Speaker M B Rajesh. An immediate action was taken in consideration of the seriousness of the incident, he said. Action has been taken against four contract employees namely Vipuraj, Praveen, Vishnu and Vaseela. They are employees of the company that provides technical assistance to Sabha TV. They have been relieved of their duties, the speaker said in a press conference.

None of the employees had helped Anitha to enter into the assembly complex. She was not recognized by the watch and ward as well. Anitha had possessed a pass for the open forum. The pass was given to Malayalam Mission and several expatriate organizations. She had come with one such pass, he said. The speaker also explained about the assembly session that is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Actor Khalid dies at film shooting location in Vaikom

KOCHI: Film actor V P Khalid died here Friday. Khalid, a member of Aleppey Theatres, was a known singer. He was a native of Fort Kochi Chullikkal. Cinematographer Shaiju Khalid, Jimshi Khalid and director Khalid Rehman are his children.

The end came while he was acting in a new film directed by Jude Antony with Tovino at Vaikom in Kottayam. He went to the bathroom after having food and as he did not return after a long time, his colleagues went in search of him and found him lying dead. He suffered minor injuries on his head. He was noticed after his role in Marimayam.