The City police on Thursday commenced a probe against a group of college students who allegedly clashed with police personnel after one of them was flagged down by an officer for a traffic violation.
The Cantonment police have booked six identifiable persons under the non-bailable charge of obstructing the police from discharging their duties.
The case pertained to an incident at Palayam around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
A youth, a student of the University College, was stopped by a police officer after he attempted to take a U-turn on his motorcycle near the Martyrs’ Column in violation of the traffic rules.
Argument
Incensed over the police action, the motorist entered into an argument with the officer, leading to an altercation.
Soon, a group of officers from the Special Armed Police (SAP) camp, who were posted in the area for traffic duty, rushed to the scene to restore calm.
The student, however, refused to back down and called around 10 of his friends, who are suspected to be his college-mates.
They allegedly manhandled the police personnel. In the melee, one of the personnel alerted the City police control room.
The injured police men, Vinayachandran, Sarath and Vipin Raj of the SAP camp, were soon shifted to the General Hospital with considerable injuries.
The owner of the motorcycle was identified as one Aromal.
Three others were also learnt to have been identified, official sources said.
While there are allegations that the youths were all SFI activists, the police were yet to confirm it.
Arrest sought
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has demanded that the accused be arrested without further delay.
In a statement issued here, he alleged that the police were unable to arrest the accused, all of whom he claimed were SFI activists, since they had the support of the CPI(M).
Bid to delete footage
Alleging that a police officer had attempted to delete the CCTV footage, Mr. Chennithala also demanded that stringent action be taken against the officer in question.
Mr. Chennithala claimed that the police had come under numerous attacks by DYFI and SFI activists ever since Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had taken over the Home portfolio.
