Kochi, Jun 25 (PTI) Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday dismissed allegations that police personnel used razors to attack SFI activists during a recent protest march to the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), staged a protest on Wednesday, alleging that the state government had increased fees for various college courses.
Several SFI activists sustained injuries during the protest, with the organisation alleging that police used razors, which were brought to cut ropes used for erecting barricades, against the demonstrators.
Responding to reporters’ queries here, Chennithala denied the allegation and said an investigation had been ordered to identify who had brought the razors, apparently to attack the police personnel.
“When police personnel are holding lathis, it is not possible for them to use blades. We will investigate who brought the blades. Directions have been issued to identify the persons responsible,” he said.
The minister said those responsible for bringing the razors would be identified and that appropriate action would be taken.
“Why should anyone come to a protest carrying blades. The police have lathis and firearms. Why should they carry blades. Such methods of protest are unacceptable,” he said.
Chennithala said he too had emerged from student politics but had never resorted to such methods during protests.
“Hundreds of blades were brought, and police personnel were attacked. Any attack on the police is unacceptable. We are identifying those who brought the blades, and they will be brought before the law,” he said.
CPI(M) leaders have alleged that police attacked SFI activists using razors during the protest, resulting in injuries to several demonstrators. PTI TBA TBA SA
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