Police assault in capital city; Statewide protests by SFI, DYFI; tensions escalate

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have launched protests across the state following the clashes that broke out yesterday in the state capital. Police used water cannons against the protesters in Malappuram. The march to the Malappuram SP’s office ended in a clash.

There were scuffles between the police and protesters during the march. The protesters also tried to topple the barricades. In Thiruvananthapuram, SFI activists burned KSU flags during a march to the Secretariat.

In Kollam, SFI activists vandalised flex boards put up in memory of former CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan during a protest march. The flex boards were damaged by SFI activists themselves. The march was held towards Chinnakada in Kollam. One activist ran towards a flex board bearing Kodiyeri’s image and vandalised it.

SFI activists are also staging protests in Ernakulam. During the march to the commissioner’s office, the protesters tried to topple police barricades. The protesters arrived carrying an effigy of the chief minister.

The state capital had turned into a virtual battleground yesterday after clashes erupted following Youth Congress workers showing black flags to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited Kerala. Confrontations were also reported across the state over Yuva Morcha activists showing black flags to UDF ministers. These clashes later escalated into confrontations between Youth Congress and SFI activists.

The confrontation, which initially began as a minor clash at the start of a march led by the Youth Congress from near the Palayam University Hostel, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, later intensified.