The capital city of Kerala saw a tense confrontation on Wednesday evening when Youth Congress and Students Federation of India (SFI) activists clashed in Palayam, turning the area and MG Road into a battlefield for hours and disrupting late‑night traffic.
The violence erupted near the University College men’s hostel, where both sides blamed each other for throwing stones, bottles and, according to the SFI, flaming torches after a power cut. Several youths and at least one police officer were injured while a Youth Congress march demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The clash spread to the University College and the road outside the Secretariat.
Police responded with teargas shells and lathicharge to disperse the activists. SFI and senior CPI(M) leaders, including P.K. Sreemathy, V. Joy, V. Sivankutty and SFI State Secretary P.S. Sanjeev, criticised the police action inside the hostel grounds and alleged that Youth Congress workers had blocked an ambulance carrying injured students. They demanded stern action against the officers who assaulted students.
By 10 p.m., Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at the hostel and spoke to the injured, accusing the Youth Congress of launching a planned attack and denying any provocation from SFI or hostel residents. CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby and State Secretary Binoy Viswam condemned the police entry and the use of force, while the SFI called for a statewide strike. Meanwhile, Yuva Morcha activists blocked Local Self‑Government Minister K.M. Shaji’s car and later a vehicle carrying him, and unidentified persons were alleged to have hurled a beer bottle at Mararji Bhavan, the BJP state headquarters.
