Stones from hostellers, torches in return: Youth Congress march turns violent in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Tension escalated in Thiruvananthapuram after stones, beer bottles and other objects were reportedly hurled from the Kerala University hostel towards a Youth Congress march on Wednesday. Congress workers retaliated by throwing burning torches towards the hostel, leading to clashes and police intervention.

The confrontation took place near the Kerala University hostel as Youth Congress workers gathered ahead of a march to the Secretariat.

The march was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Leaders, including O.J. Jeneesh and Shafi Parambil, were involved in the protest.

According to the account provided, stones, beer bottles and other objects were thrown from the hostel towards the protesters.

Youth Congress alleges SFI involvement

Youth Congress workers alleged that activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) were behind the stone pelting.

The allegation has not been independently established in the supplied account.

The confrontation escalated as protesters responded by throwing torches prepared for the march towards the hostel premises.

One of the torches reportedly landed on a parked car and a tree. Senior Youth Congress leaders subsequently intervened and moved protesters away from the area.

The confrontation reportedly developed into reciprocal stone-pelting between groups outside and inside the hostel. The account also alleges that explosive objects were thrown from the hostel towards the outside. Flex boards were damaged at several locations and physical altercations were reported.

The situation remained tense despite police intervention.

Police enter hostel

Police subsequently entered the university hostel and used a lathi charge to disperse those involved.

There were allegations that several students were injured during the intervention. The extent of injuries and the number of people affected were not established in the information provided.

Why was the Youth Congress protesting?

The Youth Congress had organised the Secretariat march demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The protest was taking place against the backdrop of political opposition to the Election Commission and allegations concerning the conduct of elections. The specific allegations and responses from the Election Commission would need to be established separately.

The incident highlights how political demonstrations can quickly escalate when rival student or youth groups confront each other.

The immediate sequence described involved alleged stone and bottle pelting from the hostel, retaliation by protesters with burning torches, further clashes and police intervention.

The competing allegations should be distinguished from established facts until police findings or other independent evidence establish responsibility for the violence.