Idukki (Kerala), July 3
A case was lodged against a Communist Party of India woman legislator here on Friday for allegedly trying to manhandle Idukki additional district magistrate and obstructing him from performing his duty, police said.

Police said the incident took place in Peruvanthanam area in this hilly district when locals were protesting re-installation of a gate on a court\'s order at the entry point of a estate which blocked the road, inconveniencing the people.

When Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Moncy P. Alexander arrived with police to erect the gate following the court order, local legislator E.S. Bijimol reached the spot and allegedly pushed Alexander, a police officer with Peruvanthanam police station told IANS.

\"The gate was earlier removed following an order from the Human Rights Commission, but the estate owners managed to secure a stay order from the Kerala High Court. To ensure that the rule of law is maintained, the ADM today (Friday) wanted to put the gate back,\" the officer said on the condition of anonymity.

Bijimol, who belongs to the opposition Communist Party of India, told the media that the ADM was hand in glove with the estate owners and was working for their interests.

\"When the first order came to remove the gate, the officer took his time and was playing to the estate owners to get time to obtain a stay. And when they obtained a stay, he came soon (to implement the court order),\" she said.

\"If I had not intervened... the agitated locals would have taken him to task. I only saved him and I never beat him up,\" said Bijimol.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is in Delhi, spoke to the locals over phone and assured them that their interest would be taken care.

Kerala CPI MLA pushes district official, faces case