Kottayam (Kerala) | The Kerala police on Sunday arrested a trade union leader associated with Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) for allegedly assaulting a private bus owner over an altercation related to removal of flags and banners erected as part of a protest in front of his vehicle.

Police said Ajay K R, a local panchayat member and a district leader of the CPI(M), was arrested for assaulting Raj Mohan, the owner of the bus.

Later in the day, a local media journalist alleged that he was assaulted by the Left protesters after the melee between the CITU leader and the bus owner.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister V Sivankutty asked the state Additional Labour Commissioner (Enforcement) to submit a report after investigating the labour dispute regarding daily wages.

A video came out this morning in which Mohan was seen attempting to remove the flags and banners of the CITU protest stage erected in front of the bus. In the video, Ajay beats Mohan but suddenly, the police intervene.

Later, Mohan along with BJP workers protested in front of Kumarakom police station which ended after the arrest of the trade union leader.

Police said they were recording the statement of the journalist and a case

will be registered accordingly.

Recently, the Kerala High Court had directed the police to provide security to the buses owned by Mohan after the CITU blocked the services alleging that he was not paying the minimum wages to staff.

The CITU has sought to implement the agreement reached before the District Labour officer in connection with the daily wages to be paid to the staff of the bus service.

The District Labour Officer will convene a meeting of the concerned parties on June 26, Sivankutty said in a statement, adding that the government was trying to amicably solve the issue.

Police said the high court had directed resumption of bus service and it will be implemented.

However, the issues related to wages will be heard and decided in further court hearings, police said.