With this, the news spread that the wearing of black mask was banned in the programs of the Chief Minister. The CM’s office came to the scene with an explanation after the incident became controversial. The CM’s office said the black mask was not banned and police had not been instructed to check or apprehend it.
The incident sparked controversy when the organizers stopped a journalist wearing a black mask who was trying to enter the event attended by Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Mathrubhumi News reporter Divya Joseph was stopped by the organizers. After forcibly removing the mask, they gave the journalist a blue surgical mask. The general protocol was required to be followed. Control was lifted when the incident became news.
When asked by a mediaperson whether such a ban was being imposed as part of a crackdown on protests against the Chief Minister, the organizers were not ready to give a definite answer. However, the journalist said that many others who came to the event were wearing black masks and it was not clear why he was the only one to impose such a restriction.
The police had also banned the wearing of black masks at the Kottayam function attended by the Chief Minister this morning. Kottayam police have put in place extraordinary security measures in connection with the CM’s arrival to inaugurate the public meeting of the Kerala Gazetted Officers’ Association.
Also Read- ‘Why is the CM afraid of the people and the black mask who walked through the drawn swords?’: VD Satheesan
An hour and a half ago, public vehicles blocked his vehicle’s passage from the Nattakam Guest House where the Chief Minister was staying to the Mamman Mappila Memorial Hall. The police entered the direction of evening in spite of the black mask. On the way to the event, Yuva Morcha activists displayed black flags at the theater. On their way back after the event, Youth Congress activists also hoisted black flags at the CM’s convoy near the Nagampadam bridge.
Read the most reliable news, live information, world, national, Bollywood, sports, business, health and lifestyle news on News18 Malayalam website.