The premises of the MLA Quarters witnessed a heavy clash between activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Kerala Students Union (KSU), after a few female SFI activists were allegedly abused verbally by KSU activists in the canteen of the quarters.
The episode began unfolding around 3 p.m., when a group of SFI female activists reached the MLA Quarters canteen after the Kerala University Union elections. They were allegedly abused verbally by KSU activists present there.
Later, other SFI activists reached the spot to question this, and were blocked by the police outside the quarters. Stone-throwing from both sides ensued and continued for more than half an hour.
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It was only after CPI(M) State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, along with V. Sivankutty and Raju Abraham, MLAs, reached the spot and held discussions with City Police Commissioner H. Venkatesh that the stone- throwing stopped. However, the leaders and the SFI activists refused to leave the spot unless the KSU activists inside the quarters were arrested.
Based on directions from Mr. Venkatesh, a Watch and Ward team led by Chief Marshal Unwin J. Antony then apprehended around 50 KSU activists and handed them over to a police party from Museum police station waiting at the back gate of the quarters.
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They have launched a probe into the incident.
Action sought
Mr. Balakrishnan later demanded action against members of the Watch and Ward who allegedly supported the KSU activists.
Mr. Sivankutty said in a statement here that Youth Congress and KSU members had turned the MLA Quarters into their ‘den’ while campaigning for the Aruvikkara by-poll and that inspections of the rooms occupied by them would reveal stocks of weapons as well.
Stone-throwing continued for
half an hour
Museum police launch probe