2 persons mowed down by Kerala Minister's official car

Two persons were killed and another was injured tonight after being hit allegedly by the official car of Kerala Minister KC Joseph at Angamaly near Kochi, police said.

A case has been registered against the car driver under sections 279 and 304 (A) of IPC for rash and negligent driving causing death of two persons, police sources said.

The mishap occurred at Karayamparambu in Angamaly at around 7 pm when Joseph, who is Kerala's Rural Development, Planning and Information MinisterJoseph was on his way to Nedumbasserry airport from Thrissur.

The Minister, who was to catch a flight to Delhi, has cancelled his trip, police said.

The mishap occurred when the three persons were crossing the road.

Protesting against the incident, people from nearby areas blocked traffic on the National Highway for sometime. They alleged that the Minister's car was moving at high speed.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his ministerial colleagues are expected to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi tomorrow with regard to clearance for various projects, including Kochi Metro.