Violence during Congress demonstration in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: There are reports of violence during the protest by opposition party Congress in Kerala. The protesters pelted stones at the policemen, after which the police dispersed the protesters by using water cannon to control the crowd. The march was organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to protest against alleged police atrocities on its workers during the agitation against the Left government’s people-reaching program ‘Nav Kerala Sadas’.
atmosphere of chaos
Senior leaders, including KPCC chief K. Sudhakaran, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala, were present on the makeshift stage near the DGP office when the police fired tear gas shells and water cannons. Sudhakaran and Chennithala were hit by tear gas shells after which Congress workers carried them to a car parked nearby. As soon as Sudhakaran finished his speech, party members started climbing the barriers installed near the DGP office and tried to cross the security cordon. Water cannons were fired during Satishan’s address. After this the meeting ended in an atmosphere of chaos.
Police suddenly started using force – Tharoor
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, ‘It was a very shocking experience… Congress workers were protesting peacefully. Speeches of big leaders were taking place. Suddenly, without any provocation, a tear gas shell exploded right behind the stage and water cannon was fired. We don’t understand why, there is no provocation, and no warning has been issued… I immediately called the DGP and protested in the strongest possible language… This was a criminal act… This happened without any provocation, without any warning… Kerala is witnessing a lawless regime that has been given complete freedom to attack law abiding people. I am also going to raise this with the Parliament Speaker because the parliamentary privileges of half a dozen MPs present on the stage have been violated…”
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