Mon Jan 06 14:07:48 IST 2025: ## Kerala MLA Arrested, Faces Bail Hearing After Protest Over Elephant Attack

**Nilambur, Kerala –** Independent MLA P.V. Anvar of Nilambur was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on Sunday night following a protest over the death of a tribal youth in an elephant attack. He appeared before a court in Nilambur on Monday to apply for bail. The court has requested a detailed police report before considering the application.

Mr. Anvar, arrested for allegedly leading a protest that resulted in damage to the Nilambur North Divisional Forest Office, faces charges including destruction of public property under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act – a non-bailable offense. Police claim he has been involved in several other cases. Four of Mr. Anvar’s supporters were also arrested.

The protest, which involved members of the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), was sparked by the death of Mani, a Cholanaikar tribal youth, in an elephant attack on Saturday night. Mr. Anvar accused forest staff and police of slow response to the incident. The damaged property is estimated at ₹35,000.

The arrest has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with Congress leader K. Muraleedharan harshly condemning Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. DMK State coordinator E.A. Suku described the police’s handling of the situation as excessive. Mr. Anvar himself urged his followers to remain calm via a Facebook post, promising to continue his fight against what he called the government’s “wrong forest laws” upon his release.

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