Tension erupts in UDYF’s Kerala Assembly march; Rahul Mamkootathil, PK Firoz in custody

Thiruvananthapuram: Tensions flared during a march to the Assembly by the Opposition youth organisations – United Democratic Youth Front (UDYF)-- demanding the Chief Minister's resignation. Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil and Youth League leader P K Firoz were taken into police custody.

Police used water cannons several times against activists attempting to breach the barricades. However, the protesters, who were unwilling to disperse, maintained their presence at the site. When women activists and others jumped over the barricades, they were arrested and removed from the area.

As activists tried to cross the barricades, verbal confrontations ensued between the police and the protesters. Subsequently, when some activists sat down on the road and began chanting slogans, there was an attempt to arrest them, which the protesters resisted. This again resulted in a verbal altercation between the police and the activists. The situation is currently peaceful.