Kozhikode: A special squad of the Kozhikode Rural police has booked 321 identifiable persons in connection with the violent clash that broke out at a private slaughterhouse waste treatment company at Ambayathode near Thamarassery on Tuesday (October 21, 2025). The incident occurred during a protest against the plant’s alleged environmental pollution.
The investigation is being carried out under the direct supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kannur Range) Yathish Chandra, with senior police officers leading multiple probe teams.
According to the first information report (FIR), T. Meharoof, a local leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), has been named the prime accused. A senior officer involved in the investigation said more suspects would be identified after examining surveillance footage from the scene.
During the confrontation, several officers — including Superintendent of Police (Kozhikode Rural) K.E. Baiju — sustained injuries when police attempted to disperse the crowd that turned violent outside the factory. The initial estimate of property loss stands at ₹5 crore.
DIG Yathish Chandra described the incident as an “organised attack” on police personnel, alleging that women and children were used as shields by protesters. He said a scientific investigation was underway with the assistance of multiple teams. As many as 16 police officers, including the Station House Officer of Thamarassery, suffered serious injuries in the incident.
Inspector General of Police Rajpal Meena also inspected the site as part of the evidence-gathering process. Police said 10 vehicles — including trucks, auto-rickshaws, and motorcycles — were set on fire by the mob, while several others were damaged in stone-pelting and vandalism. Cases have been registered under Sections 109 (attempt to murder) and 191 (rioting) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Protesters Deny Allegations
Leaders of the action committee spearheading the protest, which also called for a hartal in Thamarassery on Wednesday (October 22, 2025), rejected the police’s claims. They accused the authorities of portraying the protest as an organised crime to suppress a movement that began six years ago, and of targeting innocent people.
They also condemned the DIG’s statement about women and children being used as shields, calling it an attempt to “delegitimise” a genuine environmental protest.
However, police maintained that masked agitators were responsible for setting fire to the factory building and vehicles while several labourers were still inside. Citing video footage, investigators said the protesters deliberately blocked fire engines and attacked officers who tried to control the situation.