Battleground Thiruvananthapuram! Seven cases, 300 accused, 8 Yuva Morcha members arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police registered seven cases in connection with the stone-pelting and clashes involving youth organisations that turned the capital city into a battleground yesterday. A total of 300 activists from Yuva Morcha, SFI-DYFI, and Youth Congress were named as accused across various incidents. Eight Yuva Morcha activists were arrested and charged with non-bailable offences; the arrests included five individuals for waving black flags at the Chief Minister, two for obstructing Minister K.M. Shaji, and one for attacking the DCC office.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed the police to take stringent action regarding these incidents. P. Vijayan, the ADGP in charge of Law and Order, told Kerala Kaumudi that there are suspicions regarding whether the violence was deliberately orchestrated.

The Museum and Cantonment police stations registered two cases each following the incidents of violence on Wednesday night. Three of these cases were filed in connection with the holding of demonstrations and marches. Cases were registered at the Museum police station against Youth Congress and SFI activists. The Thampanoor police also registered a case regarding the throwing of a beer bottle at Mararji Bhavan, the BJP headquarters; the accused has not yet been identified.

Although Minister K.M. Shaji insisted on not pressing charges after his official vehicle was blocked at Vanross Junction, the Cantonment Police registered a case against Yuva Morcha activists suo motu.