Protest march following suicide attempt of nursing student; DySP and SFI challenge each other

KANHANGAD: SFI workers and DySP challenged each other during the march to Kanhangad Manzoor Nursing School and Hospital after the third year nursing student Chaitanya Kumari (20) attempted suicide.

SFI workers marched to Manzoor Hospital yesterday morning, demanding that a case be filed against the warden and others for the crime of inciting suicide. The march attended by hundreds of activists was stopped by the police at the hospital gate. A heavy police contingent led by Kanhangad DySP Babu Peringeth and Inspector P Ajith Kumar was stationed in front of the hospital. When they were about to end the march by giving a speech at one of the two gates, some activists jumped in front of the hospital through the other gate. Police lathi-charged the activists to stop them. SFI area secretary was hit on the head and the activists turned against the police. A policeman was also injured. The activists attacked the police alleging that they had created unnecessary provocation.

The SFI workers clashed with Kanhangad DySP Babu Peringeth when he warned that protestors would face legal action if they create obstruction in front of the hospital. The question of the activists was 'who gave the police the authority to hit the protestors on the head?'. The DySP replied by asking how attacking policemen could be considered a protest. He also warned that anyone who obstructed the operation of the hospital would be beaten. SFI workers challenged the DySP saying they will show him who they are. The tension finally eased when the leaders intervened and pushed back the activists.

Conflict in Youth Congress march

A clash broke out with the police during a protest march by the Youth Congress to the hospital demanding that a case be filed for abetting suicide. Leaders including state general secretary Jomon Jose were injured. They were admitted to a private hospital in Kanhangad.