Thiruvananthapuram: Clashes broke out during the SFI’s march to the Secretariat on Wednesday, organised in protest against alleged police brutality during its march to Kerala University the previous day. After water cannons were used to disperse the protesters, some activists confronted the police, following which officers resorted to a lathi-charge. Several protesters were injured in the incident.

Around 400 police personnel were deployed in the area as the SFI march reached the Secretariat. In front of the North Gate, SFI activists raised a banner that read, “Stop the government police’s rampage against those protesting the RSS.” The protesters also carried photographs of Ministers O.J. Janeesh and Roji M. John.

The SFI had staged a protest outside Kerala University the previous day, alleging that Ministers O.J. Janeesh and Roji M. John had stood up while ‘Vande Mataram’ was being sung during a Sports Day event at the university.

Wednesday’s Secretariat march was organised in protest against what the SFI described as provocative police action against its activists during the previous day’s demonstration.

The SFI has also alleged that the water cannon vehicle used by the police contained sewage water, which was sprayed at the protesters.