A protest march organized by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) turned violent in front of the Kerala Secretariat on Tuesday, resulting in clashes with police and heightened tensions in the area for nearly an hour.
Protest Details
The SFI march, held to protest police action following the recent violence after the Kerala University (KU) union election, reached the Secretariat area around 1:30 PM. Activists attempted to push through police barricades placed on the road leading to the Secretariat, triggering a confrontation with law enforcement.
Police Response
Police used water cannons at least five times to disperse the protesters as activists continued raising slogans and trying to breach the barricades. Scuffles broke out between police personnel and protesters during the agitation. Traffic movement in the area was also affected for some time.
Legal Action
Cantonment police later registered a case in connection with the violence and attempts to damage barricades during the protest. Meanwhile, city police have also registered separate cases against SFI and Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists over the violent clashes that erupted in Palayam after the KU union election results on Monday evening.
Police said cases were filed against 11 SFI leaders, including state president M Shivaprasad, in connection with rioting, violence, and destruction of public property worth around Rs 30,000. Cases were also registered against KSU activists following complaints from SFI workers.
Background of Clashes
The clashes broke out near the KU campus during SFI's victory celebrations after the university union election. Activists from both student organizations allegedly pelted stones and attacked each other, triggering tension across the Palayam area in the state capital.
