A meeting held on Friday saw Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader V. Sivankutty and Students Federation of India (SFI) representatives sit with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to demand action against Cantonment police officers who allegedly stormed the University College hostel on Wednesday night and lathi‑charged students, causing injuries.
SFI leaders singled out two Cantonment police officers, accusing them of political bias and excessive force against SFI activists. P.S. Sanjeev, the SFI state secretary, described the officers’ conduct over recent days as “completely inhumane.” According to Sivankutty, about 25 students were injured during the police operation, and the officers allegedly prevented the wounded from receiving hospital care. He also alleged that a false FIR with serious charges was lodged at the Museum Police Station against the injured students, accusing them of attacking police.
In a separate development, BJP national executive committee member P.K. Krishnadas and other party leaders met the State Police Chief to complain of political bias. They claimed that the police had filed non‑bailable cases and arrested BJP activists for an alleged attack on the District Congress Committee office in Thiruvananthapuram, while no action was taken for attacks on Krishnadas or BJP offices.
The tensions followed days of street clashes in Thiruvananthapuram. Violence erupted near the University College men’s hostel during a Youth Congress march toward Statue Junction on Wednesday evening, with SFI and Youth Congress activists blaming each other for throwing stones and bottles. The SFI accused Youth Congress and KSU workers of hurling flaming torches inside the hostel grounds during a power cut. Subsequent police action drew sharp criticism from the SFI and senior CPI(M) leaders, though relative calm returned to the city on Friday.
