Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Director General of Police (DGP) Sheikh Darvesh Saheb has submitted a report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommending legal action against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajithkumar for allegedly making a false statement implicating a fellow officer.

The DGP’s report states that both civil and criminal cases could be initiated against Ajithkumar for falsely accusing ADGP P. Vijayan of having ties to a gold smuggling gang. Following the allegation, Vijayan filed a formal complaint with the state police chief, prompting a direct investigation by the DGP.

After conducting the probe, DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb exonerated Vijayan and recommended that Ajithkumar be held accountable for his misleading claims.

The development has political overtones as well. P.V. Anvar, a two-time legislator who was elected as a CPI(M)-backed independent, resigned from his post after his own complaint against Ajithkumar was dismissed by the CPI(M) leadership and the Chief Minister. Anvar has since joined the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and declared support for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election.

Anvar accused the ruling dispensation of shielding Ajithkumar, alleging, “If anyone believes action will be taken based on this report, they are living in a fool’s paradise.” He also claimed that CM Vijayan considers Ajithkumar his “third son.”

The controversy unfolds as DGP Sheikh Darvesh Saheb prepares to retire on May 30. With six officers under consideration to succeed him, Ajithkumar ranks sixth on the list—a position now clouded by the fallout from the DGP’s report.

The final decision on whether action will be taken against Ajithkumar now lies with Chief Minister Vijayan.

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Srinagar: As fear gripped Pahalgam following the horrific attack, locals in Kashmir rallied to ensure the safety of stranded tourists. Among the heroes was Imtiaz, a Kashmiri driver who helped Pooja Maney, a dispute officer from Bengaluru, and her mother escape danger and reach Srinagar safely.

Pooja recounted that she and her mother were preparing to leave for Pahalgam when news of the attack reached them. She shared that she was unsure about what to do and immediately called their driver, Imtiaz, for help. “Within a few hours, he ensured our safety by taking us from our hotel in Gulmarg to his residence in Srinagar,” Pooja was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express. She added that they have been staying there since Tuesday.

Tourist agencies report that over 100 families from Karnataka visited Jammu and Kashmir in April. Of these, about 20 families managed to fly back to Karnataka from Srinagar just hours before the Pahalgam attack was reported.

Another Bengaluru tourist, Namrata H., described how quickly the atmosphere shifted from serene to tense, noting that her family was at the Dal Lake when they learned of the attack. She shared that the region went silent—shops closed, roadblocks appeared, and a curfew was imposed. “It was the locals and tourist guides who helped us. They guided my family through the checkpoints and ensured we reached the airport safely by Wednesday evening,” TNIE report quoted her as saying.

With much of Kashmir under shutdown and road routes blocked, many visitors found themselves stranded. They credit local residents and guides for their swift assistance, guiding them through affected areas and arranging transport to Srinagar airport.

In response to the crisis, the Karnataka Tourism Department established a helpline on Wednesday, and had received nearly 50 calls from tourists and their families by evening.

*Locals, drivers, tour guides step in to safeguard tourists after Pahalgam attack*

Srinagar: As fear gripped Pahalgam following the horrific attack, locals in Kashmir rallied to ensure the safety of stranded tourists. Among the heroes was Imtiaz, a Kashmiri driver who helped Pooja Maney, a dispute officer from Bengaluru, and her mother escape danger and reach Srinagar safely.

Pooja recounted that she and her mother were preparing to leave for Pahalgam when news of the attack reached them. She shared that she was unsure about what to do and immediately called their driver, Imtiaz, for help. “Within a few hours, he ensured our safety by taking us from our hotel in Gulmarg to his residence in Srinagar,” Pooja was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express. She added that they have been staying there since Tuesday.

Tourist agencies report that over 100 families from Karnataka visited Jammu and Kashmir in April. Of these, about 20 families managed to fly back to Karnataka from Srinagar just hours before the Pahalgam attack was reported.

Another Bengaluru tourist, Namrata H., described how quickly the atmosphere shifted from serene to tense, noting that her family was at the Dal Lake when they learned of the attack. She shared that the region went silent—shops closed, roadblocks appeared, and a curfew was imposed. “It was the locals and tourist guides who helped us. They guided my family through the checkpoints and ensured we reached the airport safely by Wednesday evening,” TNIE report quoted her as saying.

With much of Kashmir under shutdown and road routes blocked, many visitors found themselves stranded. They credit local residents and guides for their swift assistance, guiding them through affected areas and arranging transport to Srinagar airport.

In response to the crisis, the Karnataka Tourism Department established a helpline on Wednesday, and had received nearly 50 calls from tourists and their families by evening.