Massive clashes during Youth Congress march in capital; cops lathi charge on protestors

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Massive clashes erupted amid the Youth Congress’ secretariat march, demanding Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s resignation and E P Jayarajan to be named an accused in the in-flight protest incident. The police and activists clashed against one another. Two activists have sustained injuries, said the Youth Congress leaders. The police resorted to lathi charge, grenades and water cannons to disperse the protestors. Tensions were high in the secretariat premises for about one-and-half-hours.

The traffic on the route was also disrupted as the activists sat on the road in protest against the police lathi charge. The Youth Congress activists, who took part in the march, hurled stones at the police. Later, they also hurled bottles at the secretariat. Following which, the police used grenades and tear gas against the activists. The clashes led to a war-like situation in front of the secretariat.

As the situation was about to go out of hands, top police officials and Youth Congress leaders intervened and brought the conflict to an end. The activists were convinced to withdraw under the leadership of Youth Congress leaders Shafi Parambil MLA and K S Sabarinathan. The police have used more than 25 tear gas shells, alleged Sabarinathan. The protest against the government will continue, said Shafi Parambil.