Three SFI activists were arrested after a clash with Youth Congress workers, while the city police chief ordered an inquiry into an alleged threat by an officer.
Tensions between the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and police in Thiruvananthapuram have intensified after officers visited the home of SFI district secretary M. A. Nandan. Nandan was away at a press conference. The Hindu reported that CPI(M) activists intervened and police did not search inside the house. Police have not formally stated why they went there.
The visit came amid a clash between SFI activists and Youth Congress workers. Police registered cases against 160 people, including 80 SFI activists and 80 members of the Youth Congress and KSU. Three SFI activists were arrested late on 3 October.
City Police Chief Arul R. B. Krishna said an inquiry was under way into an alleged phone conversation in which Cantonment sub-inspector Gokul reportedly threatened Nandan. SFI supporters later held protests outside police officers’ homes. Krishna said police would continue to perform their duties within the law.
Police are separately investigating an attack on the District Congress Committee office. Krishna said six people had been identified, with one arrested and remanded. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala urged political leaders to show restraint, opposing intimidation or assaults against officers while saying alleged police misconduct must also be investigated.