Stone pelting, lathi-charge during Youth Congress march

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Violence erupted in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday with police and Youth Congress clashing in the streets. Six Youth Congress workers, including the district secretary, and two policemen were injured in the lathi-charge and grenade attack. The march was led by Shafi Parambil.

While youth Congress alleged that police lathi-charged on a peaceful protest march, police said that Youth Congress workers had created provocation by hurling stones.

Violence erupted after Opposition leader VD Satheesan inaugurated the march in front of the press club. Shafi Parambil told media persons that police resorted to violence and that the youth Congress workers were lathi-charged and tear gas was fired at them. About 20 shells were fired and this was unprecedented in the state.

Youth Congress office-bearers Shajna Sajan, Shameer Khan, Anu, Arun and Riyaz and Cantonment SHO Shafi and SI Diljith were injured. Shajna, who was injured in the grenade blast, was rushed to the hospital.