Clashes at anti-Gyanesh Kumar protests in Keralam capital: 160 booked

Thiruvananthapuram: Police have registered separate cases against KSU/Youth Congress and SFI/DYFI activists following a violent confrontation near the University of Kerala hostel in Palayam, here, with dozens of activists named as accused on both sides, Siasat reported.

The cases were registered on Thursday, October 1, following clashes that erupted on Wednesday night, after KSU and Youth Congress workers marched in protest against the Union government and the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

According to police, the situation turned violent when the procession reached the vicinity of the university hostel. KSU and Youth Congress activists alleged that stones were thrown at the march from inside the hostel. SFI and DYFI workers, however, accused the protesters of hurling burning torches towards hostel residents.

The confrontation prompted police to intervene, with personnel resorting to a lathi charge both around the hostel and in the area outside it to bring the situation under control.

The Museum police registered a case against 80 KSU/Youth Congress activists, including Nemom Shajeer, Gopy Nayyar, Sayedali Kaippadi, Syamlal and Abhijith. A separate case names 80 SFI/DYFI activists, including Venu, Sreekumar, Denny, Aswin and Adithyan.

Police have invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Kerala Police Act, the Kerala Public Way Restriction of Assemblies and Processions Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Officials said those booked would be summoned and arrested, as the offences in the cases are non-bailable.

The clashes have added to tensions between rival student and youth organisations in the state capital. Meanwhile, the Students’ Federation of India has announced statewide protests at educational institutions in response to the incident.