KOCHI: The protest march taken out by CPI Ernakulam district committee to Kochi Range IG Office turned violent on Tuesday after several leaders and workers including Muvattupuzha MLA Eldo Abraham got injured in the police lathi charge. Hundreds of workers took part in the protest.

The MLA’s hand broke as the police thrashed him using lathi. Seven CPI workers including MLA and CPI district secretary were injured in the police attack.

They were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Later Eldo reacted, saying there is no one to control the police; that is the situation in Kerala. “The police attacked us without any provocation and they were like hen those were let loose in the moonlight,” he said.

In the incident, many police officers including K Lalji were injured. When the march reached near the IG office by 11.30 am, a group of protesters attempted to pull down the barricades and hurled stones. Following this, the police resorted to lathi-charge and water cannon to disperse the protesters.

CPI workers carried out the march on Tuesday morning demanding action against Njarakkal Circle Inspector in the wake of the clash between AISF and SFI at Government Arts And Science College, Vypeen, on Wednesday. The clash erupted during the college union election campaign. AISF unit secretary Swalih Afridi and president Vishnu T S were hospitalized following the attack.

Following this, CPI district secretary P Raju came to visit the students at the hospital however a group of DYFI workers blocked him. Later, the police intervened and managed the situation. CPI workers, but, alleged that Njarakkal Circle Inspector's callous attitude led to the incident and Tuesday’s CPI march to the DIG office was in protest against this.

A large police team led by Ernakulam ACK K Laljy is camping in the area.