Stones and beer bottles fly during Kerala University clash (Img; Dynamite News)
Thiruvananthapuram: A protest march demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar turned violent in Thiruvananthapuram, with Youth Congress and SFI workers clashing near the University of Kerala men's hostel.
Stones, beer bottles and burning torches were reportedly thrown during the confrontation, forcing police to use tear gas and batons to bring the situation under control. Several students, protesters and police personnel were reported injured.
The violence erupted around 7:30 pm on Wednesday when a Youth Congress march passed near the university hostel. The protesters were demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Youth Congress workers alleged that stones and beer bottles were thrown at the march from inside the hostel. SFI members, however, gave a different account, claiming that protesters threw stones and burning torches towards the hostel.
As the confrontation escalated, both sides reportedly exchanged stones. Burning objects also landed inside the hostel compound, including near a parked vehicle and windows.
The situation remained tense as police arrived in large numbers. Tear gas was used outside the hostel, while police later entered the premises and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse students.
ADGP P Vijayan, who is in charge of law and order, reached the spot as the confrontation continued. He said police action would follow against those responsible for the violence.
SFI leaders accused police of using excessive force against students, while Youth Congress workers maintained that the confrontation had begun with attacks from inside the hostel. These competing claims had not been independently resolved.
The violence triggered a political response, with CPI(M) leaders including Pinarayi Vijayan visiting the hostel and questioning the police action. SFI announced a statewide class boycott and protests at the Secretariat and police headquarters.
The clash comes amid wider political tensions in Kerala surrounding protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
