Asked to pay, angry Kerala MLA breaks barrier at toll booth

Kerala: A Kerala state lawmaker, stopped at a toll plaza in Paliyekkara last night. When he was asked to pay up, the police say, he angrily broke the stop barrier instead.

CCTV footage (see video) from the spot shows a man snapping the barrier like a twig. He gives it two more forceful pushes — and then a third, with help from two others. Their luxury car gleams below the plaza’s lights.

According to George, a veteran legislator who is no stranger to controversy, his car wasn’t allowed to pass despite bearing an ‘MLA’ board. 

Toll plaza employees said there was some delay in allowing George’s car to pass, after which he and his aides broke the barrier, according to the Pudukkad police. The police also say a case hasn’t been registered, since toll booth officials said they had no complaint.

In February last year, George allegedly slapped a canteen boy at an MLA’s hostel for delivering food late. A few months later, he waved a pistol at estate workers for allegedly shouting slogans against him in connection with a land dispute.

George is the founder-leader of the Kerala Janapakasham party.