Kannur: BJP and Yuva Morcha activists on Monday waved black flags at the convoy of Kerala Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan at several locations in Kannur, police said.

The protests were reportedly staged in retaliation for a similar black-flag demonstration by Youth Congress activists during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kollam last week.

Satheesan was in Kannur to attend various events.
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Protesters stopped from blocking convoy

A group of BJP and Yuva Morcha activists gathered by the roadside in Mattannur and attempted to block the Chief Minister’s convoy as it passed through the area, police said.

Police personnel were deployed in advance and prevented the protesters from obstructing the convoy. The activists were later arrested and removed from the spot by police.

Television visuals showed male police officers restraining some female BJP activists amid the protest. Police said women officers were not present at the spot.

Similar attempts to wave black flags at Satheesan’s convoy were reported from Kannur town and Thana, police said.

Security arrangements for the Leader of the Opposition have reportedly been strengthened in view of the protests.
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Protests follow Shah’s visit

On September 26, Youth Congress workers staged a black-flag protest against Shah while his convoy was travelling from Kollam to Kundara. Shah was in Kollam to attend multiple events.

On Sunday, BJP and Yuva Morcha workers reportedly staged similar protests against Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh in separate incidents in Kozhikode and Kollam.

PTI