KSU protest march over plus one seat issue; police lathi-charge protestors

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress’ student wing KSU on Tuesday carried out a march to the state Assembly here in protest against the alleged lack of seats in plus one (class 11) for students, especially in the northern Malabar region of Kerala.

The Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists marched towards the Assembly, climbed on top of the barricades set up by the police and shouted slogans against the ruling Left government and state General Education Minister V Sivankutty.

The police then resorted to use of water cannons to disperse the protestors, but the KSU activists did not budge and were seen throwing sticks and other things at the police.

Tensions escalated when the police used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators who retaliated by throwing sticks and other objects. The situation further deteriorated with clashes between protestors and police personnel, resulting in a lathi-charge.

KSU state president Aloshious Xavier reportedly sustained injuries during the lathi-charge and was transported to a hospital by the police. The protest ultimately scattered, with police pursuing the fleeing activists.