SFI activists said stones, sticks and flaming torches were thrown towards the hostel Youth Congress workers alleged SFI activists in the hostel threw stones and beer bottles at them.
Students in the hostel were raising slogans after the power supply was disrupted as the march passed by, according to police. Police said an altercation broke out and threw beer bottles and burning torches at each other. Police used lathicharge and tear gas to bring the situation under control. The clash broke out after Youth Congress took out a march towards the AG’s office, led by minister O J Janeesh and MP Shafi Parambil, seeking the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Youth Congress workers alleged SFI activists in the hostel threw stones and beer bottles at them, while SFI activists claimed stones, sticks and flaming torches were thrown into the hostel compound. The situation escalated after protesters burned tyres on the road. Police entered the hostel premises and resorted to lathicharge to disperse SFI activists, while tear gas was used on Youth Congress workers outside. An SFI activist and a police officer were reportedly injured. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM leaders P K Sreemathi and V Sivankutty reached the hostel and protested against the police action.
Thiruvananthapuram : Youth Congress and SFI activists clashed near the University Men’s Hostel at Palayam on Wednesday evening, throwing stones and flaming torches at each other.