CPI(M) leaders meet Home Minister, demand action against cops; BJP leaders meet SPC

CPI(M) leader V. Sivankutty | Photo credit: SURESHKUMAR C

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

The SFI specifically demanded action against two officers of the Cantonment police station, alleging that they acted with political bias and used excessive force against SFI activists. SFÚ State Secretary PS Sanjeev told reporters that the actions of the inspector and sub-inspector of the Cantonment circle in the last few days were “completely inhumane” and cannot be accepted.

Mr Sivankutty said 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. Besides, a fake FIR was registered at the museum police station citing serious allegations against the injured students, who claimed that they had attacked the police.

Meanwhile, Bharaitya Janta Party (BJP) national executive committee member PK Krishnadas and other leaders met the state police chief on Friday and complained of political bias on the part of the police. BJP leaders alleged that the police filed cases on non-bailable charges and arrested BJP activists for the alleged attack on the District Congress Committee office in Thiruvananthapuram, while no action was taken against the attacks on Mr. Krishnadas and the BJP offices.

Normality is returning

After several days of political tension and street clashes, relative calm prevailed in the city of Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The violence reportedly first erupted near the university’s 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 accused each other of inciting violence by throwing stones and bottles. The SFI accused the Youth Congress and KSU workers of throwing burning torches into the hostel premises when the lights went out during the power cut. The subsequent police action in the hostel premises drew sharp criticism from the SFI and senior CPI(M) leaders.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 20:07 IST