THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Rahul Mamkoottathil being jailed, the way for a new political war has opened in the state. After a whole day of dramatic events and clashes, Youth Congress state president Rahul Mangkoot has been lodged in Poojapura jail. He has been remanded till January 22.

The arrest was made in connection with the clashes in the Youth Congress Secretariat March. Rahul is the fourth accused in the case. The march was in protest against the police brutality, including the beating of KSU workers who showed black flags to the Chief Minister.

At around 5.30 am yesterday, the police surrounded Rahul's house in Adoor's Nellilimukal, Mundapalli and took Rahul into custody. The protests and dramatic events that started then continued till Rahul was taken to Poojapura Jail. The Congress has decided to strengthen the protest movement across the state. Secretariat march will be held today under the leadership of Youth Congress.

Youth Congress workers staged protests across the state yesterday. The chief minister's effigy was burnt at Malappuram. The protest was led by Anton Antony MP in Pathanamthitta's Adoor. In many places, police and workers came to the verge of clashes.

What happened yesterday

Two police jeeps arrived in front of Rahul's house in the morning. They didn't ring the calling bell, instead knocked on the front door and called Rahul three times. His mother Beena opened the door and got scared on seeing the police team. The police got inside the house saying they wanted to see Rahul. His mother said that Rahul is sleeping in his room, and the police went there. The SI told Rahul, who woke up, that they had come to arrest him in the secretariat march case. Rahul said that he is not staying in hiding and asked the need to take him in the dark. After the argument, Rahul was taken in the jeep. Congress' panchayat member Mundapalli Subhash, who came to know about the incident, lay down in front of the police jeep. Subhash was arrested and removed.

Rahul was brought to the cantonment station at 10 am by the investigating team. His arrest was recorded around 10.20 am. As they were about to be taken for medical examination, those protesting in front of the station were removed and Rahul was taken to the Fort Hospital. The police jeep which returned with Rahul after completing the tests was stopped by more activists. After much force, the police brought Rahul to the Vanchiur court.

The court, which concluded its hearing in the case in the afternoon, directed Rahul to undergo a medical examination again. Rahul's bail application was rejected after considering the police report. The activists stopped the police vehicle carrying the remanded Rahul. The vehicle proceeded after the leaders were removed. Even when he was taken to the General Hospital for medical examination before being taken to jail, there was a scuffle with the police and activists. After the leaders intervened and pacified the activists, Rahul was brought to Poojapura jail at 7.07 am. Activists shouted slogans outside.