Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was shown black flags by activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) on his arrival at the Kottayam railway station from Thiruvananthapuram on his way to Thodupuzha on Thursday. The Left youth activists tried to block him at Kidangoor and Puliyannur, near Pala.
The police, led by District Police Chief M.P. Dinesh, had set up heavy security to receive the Chief Minister who arrived by the Thiruvanathapuram-Chennai Express.
The DYFI activists who tried to enter the railway station were resisted by the police and the Railway Protection Force and were later arrested and removed to the Kottayam (East) police station. By the time Mr. Chandy arrived, his car was kept ready at one of the side gates and he was taken there under heavy police security.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the youth activists who had regrouped by the time tried to wave black flags and were forcibly removed by the police.
Mr. Chandy left for Thodupuzha to participate in an official reception organised by the party.
The activists took a march in the town demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation. Some six activists have been taken into custody.
ADVERTISEMENT