Police stop railway station protest in Salem

Police removed more than 40 protesters from a railway station demonstration in Salem demanding the removal of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The October 10 action involved members of the All India Youth Federation and the All India Students Federation. The Hindu reported that they attempted to blockade the station before police stopped their advance and took them in vehicles to a marriage hall.

The demonstrators opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They alleged that irregularities during the exercise had prevented eligible citizens from voting and demanded accountability for the preparation and revision of the lists.

Those allegations represent the protesters’ position. The Salem report describes their demands and the police response but cites no ruling establishing wrongdoing in the revision exercise. Similar demonstrations by youth and student organisations took place in other Indian cities.