KOZHIKODE: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday said that the criminals hired by the Chief Minister were the ones who were protesting against him. The Governor was speaking to the media after reaching the University of Calicut under heavy security. He said that violence sponsored by the Chief Minister was taking place inside the campus. He added that this was an attempt to divert attention from the government's financial crisis.

"I did not see SFI's protest on the campus. I had said that I would get out of the car if they came near the car. I will definitely get out of the car the protestors come near the car. No one will be allowed to hit the official vehicle. I'm not afraid of SFI's protest," the Governor said.

The Governor, who reached the Karipur Airport from Delhi at 7:00 pm, arrived at the University by 7:15 pm. The police arrested and removed the SFI activists who came to hold a sit-in protest in front of the university.