Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader V. Sivankutty and leaders of the Students Federation of India (SFI) on Friday met Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and demanded action against Cantonment police officials who allegedly stormed the University College Hostel on Wednesday night and lathi-charged students, allegedly resulting in injuries.

The SFI specifically demanded action against two officers of the Cantonment police station, alleging that they had acted with political bias and used excessive force against SFI activists. SFI state secretary P.S. Sanjeev told reporters that the actions of the Cantonment Circle Inspector and sub-inspector over the past few days were “completely inhumane” and could not be accepted.

Mr. Sivankutty said that around 25 students were injured in the police action inside the hostel. The police allegedly did not allow the injured students to be taken to the hospital. Furthermore, a false FIR invoking serious charges was registered at the Museum Police Station against the injured students, alleging that they had attacked the police, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Bharaitya Janta Party (BJP) national executive committee member P.K. Krishnadas and other leaders met the State Police Chief on Friday and complained about political bias on the part of the police. The BJP leaders alleged that the police have filed cases under non-bailable charges and arrested BJP activists for an alleged attack on the District Congress Committee office in Thiruvananthapuram, while no action has been taken on attacks targeting Mr.Krishnadas as well as BJP offices. 

Normalcy returns

After a few days of political tension and street clashes, relative calm prevailed in Thiruvananthapuram city on Friday. The violence reportedly broke out first near the University men’s hostel during a Youth Congress march to Statue Junction on Wednesday evening, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Youth Congress and SFI activists blamed each other for triggering the violence by hurling stones and bottles. The SFI accused Youth Congress and KSU workers of hurling flaming torches into the hostel premises when the lights went out during the power cut. Subsequent police action on the hostel grounds drew sharp criticism from the SFI and senior CPI(M) leaders.