Thiruvananthapuram: Youth Congress activists on Wednesday staged a protest march to the state secretariat as a sign of protest against the arrest of its state president, Rahul Mamkootathil. 

The activists chanted slogans and tried to remove the barricades placed by the police officials here. However, as the protest turned violent, the cops resorted to water cannons to disperse activists. Later, the protestors staged a sit-in protest on the road. 

Meanwhile, some workers allegedly tried to snatch the shield used by the police. Former YC state president Shafi Parambil MLA inaugurated the march. 

Last day, in a surprise move, Kerala Police arrested Mamkootathil from his residence, leading to widespread protest from Youth Congress activists across the state. Mamkootathil was arrested in connection to a case registered over allegedly leading the violent attacks during a march to the state secretariat on December 21, 2023.

Later in the day, a local court here remanded Mamkootathil in judicial custody till January 22, after considering a medical report that indicated he had no major health issues.

The secretariat march was organised last month to highlight alleged atrocities against Youth Congress workers during the state government's Nava Kerala Sadas programme led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.