Kerala Youth Congress workers arrested for conducting beef fest ahead of Modi's arrival

Ten workers of the Youth Congress were arrested by the Harbour police in Kochi on Saturday on charges of conducting a beef festival. The festival was a mark of protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in the city for the inauguration of the Kochi Metro.

The beef festival started minutes before the Prime Minister landed at the Naval Air Station in Kochi at 10.15am.

“The beef fest was conducted at Vaathuruthy, which is just 300 meters away from the Southern Naval Command’s air terminal. Ten workers were arrested while they were cooking and serving beef,” said Vinoj A, Sub Inspector of Harbour police station.

The arrest was a precaution to avoid any untoward incidents that may cause disruption to the Prime Minister’s visit. They are in police custody now,” he added.

The arrested workers were charged under Sections 283 and 142 of IPC, for causing obstruction in the public way and for unlawful assembly respectively. Police officials say that they will be released only after the Prime Minister returns.

Kerala has been resisting the ban on cattle trade for slaughter even since the union government issued the notification for the same. Numerous beef fests were organised in various parts of the state, mostly by the youth wing of the Left parties and the Congress.

On May 27, youth wing workers of the Congress had slaughtered a calf in Kannur as a mark of protest against the Centre's ban on cattle trade for slaughter. On June 1, eight persons including Rijil Makkutty, who led the protest, were arrested by Kannur City police on charges of causing public nuisance and for violation of public order.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had written to his counterparts in other states to oppose the Centre’s move which he described as a move to infringe on people’s eating habits. On June 8 the state had convened a special Assembly session and passed a resolution against it.