Two individuals were arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting an Army officer after more than 60 NCC cadets were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning at a camp held at KMM College in Kochi’s Thrikkakara last week.
The accused, identified as Nishad from Fort Kochi and Navas from Palluruthi, allegedly assaulted Lieutenant Colonel Karneyil Singh, the administrative officer of the 21 Kerala NCC Battalion, at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp.
A senior police official stated that the suspects were apprehended at their homes and arrested after being identified by NCC officials. The Thrikkakara police had previously registered an FIR based on a complaint about the assault.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following the food poisoning of over 60 cadets on December 23. According to the FIR filed on December 24, the accused entered the college hosting the camp, confronted and threatened Lieutenant Colonel Singh, and attacked him around 11:30 pm.
One of the accused allegedly stabbed Singh with a sharp object, injuring his cheek, neck, and back, which impaired his ability to carry out his official duties. The attack took place while Singh was serving as the camp commandant of the Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC), organized by the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC at the college.
The accused face charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 329(3) (criminal trespass), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt). Additional charges include 118(1) (causing hurt by dangerous means), 121(1) (dissuading a public servant from duty by causing hurt), and 3(5) (criminal acts committed with common intention).
The Additional Director General of NCC has instructed a panel, led by a brigadier, to submit a report on the suspected food poisoning incident.
