VANDIPERIYAR: A clash erupted after the police station march held by the Youth Congress protesting the acquittal of the accused in the Vandiperiyar rape case and demanding action against the investigating officer. The police had to resort to lathi charge after the Youth Congress workers clashed with CPM workers while returning after the march.

The demonstration of the Youth Congress started at Choorakulam at 11 am yesterday. Considering the possibility of conflict, the police had closed the national highway in front of the police station with a barricade. The Youth Congress workers, who marched to the station, shouted slogans at the police and tried to break the barricade. The Youth Congress workers then jumped on top of the barricade. After the leaders' speech, the Youth Congress turned towards the police. Although the police asked them to disperse, the workers refused. Following this, the police used water cannon for half an hour. The workers, who did not disperse, threw mud at the police. They also broke the shield of the police using sticks and threw stones and sticks at the police. Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkoottathil and district president Francis Devasya intervened and persuaded the workers. Following this, the workers staged a demonstration towards Vandiperiyar town.

In the meantime, the Youth Congress workers got involved in an altercation with CPM workers. The altercation soon led to a brawl and both groups started throwing stones and sticks at each other. The police then resorted to lathi charge to disperse the workers. Many, including Youth Congress state general secretary Jobin Aimanam and two local secretaries of CPM, suffered injuries. CPM Area Secretary S Sabu said that the problem started when Youth Congress workers pelted stones at the party office. However, the Youth Congress leaders said that the CPM members were the ones who attacked them without any provocation.