CPI (M) workers waylay Excise Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI (M) workers, demanding Excise Minister K. Babu’s resignation over bar-bribery, today waylaid the Minister near Mascot Hotel here on Monday.

The protest led to tension between the protesters and police and stone throwing. The Minister, who was going to inaugurate the newly built headquarters of the State Beverages Corporation, insisted that he should attend the function and was stranded among protesters for some time.

Later, the Minister went to the Mascot hotel and later walked to the venue after protesters were removed from the entrance of the new building. The protesters numbered about 200 including women were led by V. Sivankutty, MLA.

Mr. Babu later said the agitation was sponsored by those who had lost large sums of money on account of the abkari policy of the government.

Meanwhile, the High Court posted a case seeking CBI enquiry into alleged bribe-taking by Mr. Babu for reducing bar licence fees for further consideration on Tuesday. The government submitted that CBI enquiry was not needed.

The High Court posted a complaint filed by Bar Hotels Association leader Biju Ramesh praying for quashing of the defamation suit filed by Mr. Babu against Mr. Ramesh, for raising allegations against him,  for hearing on February 1.