KOTTAYAM: Minister P Rajeev criticized Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in strong language. The minister said that the governor is under government sponsored protection and accused him of not performing his duties. He was talking to a private channel. The reaction was in the context of the protest by SFI, a left-wing student body, against the governor at the University of Calicut.

"It was not the BJP state committee office that gave him the title of chancellor. Arif Mohammed Khan is working for the BJP. The governor has state-of-the-art facilities including a Benz car provided by the government. He is speaking under the protection of the government-appointed police. No sane person can accept what the governor is doing. An anti-Kerala front is working in Kerala under the leadership of Arif Mohammed Khan and VD Satheesan', the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan reached Kozhikode University yesterday with tight security amid SFI's black flag threat. SFI state president K. Anushree and secretary P. M. Arsho, who protested, were arrested and removed. Many people including leaders were injured in police lathi charge.

The governor had responded in New Delhi that he was not afraid of SFI goons before leaving for Kozhikode.

The governor reached the Karipur airport at 6.30 pm yesterday and reached the university campus at 7.30 pm. The workers of SFI jumped on the road before the Governor's motorcade arrived. Police and activists clashed. When the governor's vehicle arrived, the protestors were prevented from entering the road.

While they were being arrested and taken away, the governor's vehicle entered the compound. The Governor's accommodation is in Kadmam 1st room, a VIP guest house. The police have arranged security similar to the Chief Minister's journey for the governor. 300 policemen are providing security under the supervision of Kondotty DYSP Moosa Vallikadan. The governor will attend the wedding ceremony of Muslim League state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal's son this morning. The program will be held at Calicut Trade Center at 10 am. After that, the governor will leave for the guest house. Tomorrow at 3.30 pm, the official program of the Governor is a seminar organized by the Chair of Sanatana Dharma Peedam Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram.

Protesters are sent by Chief Minister: Governor

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. 'There was a threat that I am done if I come to Kozhikode but I did not see any protest", the governor quipped.

I will come out again if there are more protests. The Chief Minister is from Kannur. We know the culture of Kannur. The character of the Chief Minister is formed from there. How can they say there is saffron culture being spread in Kerala? Kerala is a land of thousands of temples. Can the temples be demolished and moved on the grounds saying saffron culture is being spread?

The governor said that he will go to all the scheduled programs no matter who opposes.