Youth Congress, Kerala Students Union and SFI activists clash in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Violence erupted between police and protestors as SFI workers allegedly attacked Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union (KSU) workers who were protesting near the Secretariat on Tuesday. Workers came here in support of Youth Congress state president Dean Kuriakose and Vice-president C.R. Mahesh, who have been on an indefinite hunger strike protesting the fee hike in self-financed Medical Colleges.

When they were stopped by policemen, a small group of SFI workers attacked some KSU workers resulting in stones and rotten eggs being hurled. Police then began a lathi charge, used tear gas shells and hurled stun grenades. Around 10 protestors and five policemen including Assistant Commissioner R. Mahesh were injured.

A teargas shell fell right in front of KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran who had to run for cover. Police registered a case against 17 protestors for rioting. In the melee, Mr Kuriakose and Mahesh, who were on the eighth day of their hunger strike, were shifted to Medical College Hospital.