Thiruvananthapuram: Various organisations conducted protests across the state alleging the fire accident in the protocol department of the secretariat was well-planned. The strike that started at the secretariat on Tuesday spread all over the state on Wednesday.
The protesters and the police engaged in clashes at many places. BJP, Yuva Morcha, Youth Congress and Youth League workers organised protests at various places in the state.
The police used water cannon on the protest march held by Yuva Morcha in Thiruvananthapuram. When the protesters tried to break the barricades, the police also used grenade and many of them were injured.
In view of the attacks, the police had closed the paths leading to the secretariat using barricades and deployed police officers at various places. Apart from the Yuva Morcha protest, BJP workers also held a protest march to the secretariat.
Clashes occurred in the BJP-Yuva Morcha protest march to Kannur collectorate and the police resorted to lathi charge. Many activists were injured. BJP Azhikode constituency president Ratheesh was seriously injured.
Youth Congress workers burned files symbolically as part of the protests in Kannur and Kochi. While trying to jump over the barricades, clashes erupted between police and the party workers.
Youth Congress workers were arrested in Kollam after they staged protests. Yuva Morcha workers who protested in Kozhikode also were arrested by the police. In Kochi, the police had to arrest Mahila Morcha activists as they conducted protests.
