It was exactly what it was meant to be—an organised mess. Aimed at drawing public attention to the pothole-ridden roads in Kochi, a group of clowns on Monday organised a ‘colourful protest’ to mourn the sad ‘demise’ of the agencies entrusted to repair the damaged roads. Instead of shouting, the protesters used squeaky toys, whistles and laughter to run the show.

The event, attended by celebrities like directors Ranjith Shankar and Aashiq Abu and musician Bijibal, was staged in the form of a street-play near the Edappally signal junction.

The 45-minute long satirical skit was enacted by clowns, who came from the city to the venue to pay homage to the deceased government authority. The clowns also ridiculed the inaction by the city corporation and other agencies with regard to fixing a problem that put the common man at the receiving end.

The message they wanted to share was that the authorities looked silly, said Gireesh Menon, one of the organisers. “We are dressed like clowns but you are the ones that look funny,” he added.

Organised by the Pothujanam Theatres, the play also gave an opportunity for the people turning up to share their experience of travelling along the city roads.

Meanwhile, the organisers admitted that the show was not going to have much of an impact among the general public. “Most of the onlookers were amused to see our clown attire. We were expecting it and are not disappointed at all, since it is sure to ignite more discussions on the need for better roads,” he said.

Kannur: The vehicle used to transport Vikraman, the prime accused in the murder of RSS leader Manoj, belongs to CPM Kannur district secretary P.Jayarajan, according to the investigating officials.

The vehicle seized by the team was bought by Jayarajan while he was the Patyam Social Service Society president and was used by CPM leader C.Prakashan to transport Vikraman.

The team has also seized the Innova car used by Vikraman to flee to Kannur. Meanwhile, those who were summoned by the investigating officials did not turn for interrogation on Tuesday.

Prakashan, also the secretary of the Patyam Social Service Co-operative Society, was earlier remanded by the court for 14 days.

The Crime Branch has also initiated steps to take into custody Aneesh, Prakashan's driver.

As per Vikraman's confession, efforts are on to arrest the Payyanoor natives who sheltered to him.

Kolkata: A 40-year-old woman, who was allegedly raped inside a moving car in 2012, on Sunday said she was denied entry to a restaurant for being a 'rape victim'.

The Anglo-Indian woman alleged that the management of Ginger, a restaurant-cum-bar in south Kolkata's Kalighat area turned her out.

"The management said they can't allow me because I was the Park Street rape victim. They said they have orders not to allow me inside. If I was raped, is it my fault? Why can't I try to live a normal life," the woman said.

The restaurant management, however, denied the charge and claimed the woman was turned out for being "troublesome".

"She was not barred for being a rape victim. Rather she had earlier created trouble. We have video footage to show how she had created trouble after getting drunk, and so we barred her," said eatery owner Dipten Banerjee.

The mother of two was allegedly raped at gun-point inside a moving car and later thrown out in February 2012.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had courted controversy after she dubbed the incident "fabricated".

While five people were charged by the court, only three are behind bars. Two, including the prime suspect, are still untraced.

Excise Circle Inspector B. Suresh who led the team said that 19-year-old Mahinshah, from Keralapuram on the outskirts of Kollam city, regularly travelled to Irumbanam in Ernakulam to get the kick from snake venom.

Mahinshah turned a drug addict during his early teens and went for snake venom whenever he felt that cannabis was not providing him the required high.

For each bite he paid amounts ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,500.

He told the Excise officers that it was a small snake that remained comfortably coiled in a 200 ml bottle.

The snake bites when it is softly pressed. The bite was administered under the tongue. He said its effects lasted for five to six days.

Mr. Suresh said that the owner of the snake has been identified and would be arrested soon.

The species of the snake used has not identified. But given its description it is suspected to be from the drysdalia species of the elapid family of venomous snakes. Mr. Suresh said the disclosure by Mahinshah showed that many who had been abusing narcotic substances for years could be moving over to snake venom to get a high. Since long there have been reports that a section of snake-catchers are trading in snake venom.

The reports also say that the venom which is ‘milked’ from snakes could reach the drug cartels that dilute it and sell as narcotic substances for the addicts.

Mahinshah allegedly confessed that he got in touch with the snake owner after searching the Internet for ways to get new highs. He will be produced in a magistrate court here on Monday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UDF led Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is going to face a host of political and administrative problems during this post-Onam period.

One of the biggest problem that his government is facing is the financial crunch, which is all set to develop into a full-blown crisis as a result of a steep fall in revenues owing to the changes in the liquor policy.

Mr. Chandy and Finance Minister K.M. Mani have stated the government would tide over the crunch created by a heavy outflow of payments during the Onam season.

The major impact of the fund crunch will be the 676 Mission of the government, formulated by Mr. Chandy to give a new direction to his rule in the remaining two years of his term.

It has almost become certain that the State would witness a sizable cut in the Annual Plan.

The Finance Minister has already gone in for compressing spending to avoid mounting a huge revenue deficit. With inflation yet to be bridled, additional subsidy amounts will have to be provided to keep the prices of essential commodities down. Tourism industry, a major player in employment generation, will be severely hit. The construction industry which had been a major source for employment and income generation will also be seriously affected.