Kollam: BJP state general secretary K Surendran and two others, who were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days after being arrested from Nilackal on Saturday night when they arrived to proceed to Sabarimala to offer prayers, were brought to Kottarakkara sub-jail on Sunday morning. As part of the statewide protest against the arrest, BJP workers laid siege to the national highways at four places in the district till 11.30am.After being shifted to Chittar police station by 3am on Sunday he along with two other BJP leaders -- Rajan Tharayil and M S Santhosh – were produced at the residence of Pathanamthitta magistrate.As they complained that police assaulted them and dragged them on the ground they were brought to the district hospital for medical examination. Later, they were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days and brought to the Kottarakkara jail by 8.30am. Tharayail is the district secretary of OBC Morcha, Thrissur and Santhosh a district committee member of Karshaka Morcha, Pathanamthitta.Surendran told reporters at Kottarakkara that police had charged non-bailable offences under Sections 153 and 353 of the CrPC. “They are taking revenge on me as I was taking a strong stand against the government’s move to breach the traditions and customs at Sabarimala. Police are acting at the behest of the CPM. But we are ready to serve the entire life in jail in the name of Lord Ayyappa,” Surendran said.The BJP leader said non-bailable charges were slapped on him citing that he had assaulted police and prevented them from performing duty. “But the entire media was present there and they knew I had not even raised a slogan,” he added.“They dragged me and other leaders on the ground and threw us into the police vehicle. Even inside the vehicle they assaulted us. They did not give us a glass of water or allow me to take medicine,” he said.Surendran, however, said the court had allowed him and the leaders to keep the ‘irumudikkettu’ with them in the jail and granted permission to offer prayers twice a day inside the jail.Though BJP district president Gopinath wanted to meet Surendran at the jail, the prison authorities rejected the request citing that Sunday was a holiday.

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