Gold smuggling case: Protests organised across state demanding Chief Minister's resignation

Kozhikode: Days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state government has nothing to do with the gold smuggling case at Thiruvananthapuram airport, youth organisations held protests across the state demanding his resignation on Friday.

Youth league, Youth Congress and Yuva Morcha protesters took to the streets in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Wayanad. In some places, protesters clashed with the police.

In Kannur, Youth League held a march towards the Chief Minister’s house.

The protests organised by Youth League and Yuva Morcha in Kozhikode turned violent. Several Youth League workers including PK Firoz were injured in the protest march held towards Kozhikode Collectorate.

Police tried to stop the protesters by erecting barricades in front of the collectorate. However, the police had to resort to using water cannons and tear gas after they jumped over the barricades and tried to enter the collectorate. The police had to baton charge the protesters after they refused to disperse from the area.

Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikkutty MP alleged that the police launched a planned attack against the Youth League workers.