Thiruvananthapuram: A march taken out by Youth Congress activists to protest the agreement reached between the government and Private Medical College Association in Kerala, including over hike in fees, Monday turned violent.
Police used water canons to remove the protesting activists, some of whom gave police the slip and entered the state Secretariat through the South gate.
When police tried to chase them away, the activists squatted on the road and raised slogans.When some of them started pelting stones, police used water canons to drive them away. As per the agreement reached between government and the association recently, it had been decided to charge Rs 2.50 lakh per year for 30 per cent seats, and in 50 per cent seats between Rs 8.5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh.
In the remaining 20 per cent seats the fees will be Rs 25,000 for students from BPL families.
Opposition parties had alleged that the government had succumbed to the demands of the association.
A similar protest was also held in Kochi.