Plus-one seat crisis; KSU calls for state-wide education bandh tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSU calls for a state-wide education bandh tomorrow to protest the plus-one seat crisis in Malabar. The bandh has been called to protest the police action in the strike related to the seat crisis. KSU State President Aloysius Xavier has stated in a press release that if the seat issue is not resolved, they will go on an indefinite strike. AISF is also protesting on the issue.

The KSU's march to Idukki Thodupuzha DDE office demanding resolution of the plus one seat crisis resulted in an altercation. When the police blocked the march by placing barricades, there was a conflict between the activists and the police. KSU workers also besieged the Kozhikode RDD office. The police stopped the workers who tried to enter the office. A tense situation ensued when the activists questioned the police's attempt to take them into custody by force. Later, more police arrived and arrested seven people, including district president VT Suraj.

MSF also protested in Kannur demanding resolution of the plus-one seat crisis. Activists besieged the Higher Secondary Regional Deputy Directorate office. Some activists were forcibly arrested by the police. SFI also held a protest march to Malappuram Collectorate. SKSSF, the student body of Samasta, staged a dharna in front of the RDD office. Kozhikode Mavoor Road was blocked by fraternity activists. The activists were arrested and removed by the police after the protest.

Meanwhile, Education Minister V Sivankutty reiterated that there is no shortage of Plus One seats in Malappuram. The minister was repeating the calculation of the seats in the unaided region in the issue of plus one seat. 17298 students have to get seats. A shortage of 7408 will come after supplementary allotment. V Sivankutty said in the Assembly that he would discuss it with the student organizations tomorrow. MLA Ahmed Devarkovil raised a submission in the assembly regarding the plus-one seat crisis. Ahmed Devarkovil pointed out that although government intervention is effective, there is a shortage of seats.