SFI protest over fee hike turns violent

Tension prevailed in the State capital on Wednesday after a protest march organised by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) against fee hikes in CAPE and IHRD-run colleges and the State government’s liquor policy escalated into violent clashes with the police near the Secretariat.

Numerous SFI activists marched to the Secretariat demanding the withdrawal of increased fees in engineering and professional education institutions. As protesters attempted to breach the barricades erected near the protest venue, the police responded with repeated water-cannon attacks to disperse the crowd.

The situation turned more volatile when a group of protesters vandalised a large cut-out of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and damaged similar installations near the protest site. This triggered fresh confrontations between police and demonstrators, leading to a lathi charge by the police.

Several activists reportedly sustained injuries during the clashes, including head injuries. Despite repeated warnings, SFI activists refused to disperse, thereby resulting in a prolonged stand-off.

Traffic movement around the Secretariat and parts of MG Road was severely affected, prompting the police to divert vehicles through alternative routes.

Meanwhile, a fresh controversy emerged after several razor blades were found on the road near the protest site. While the police alleged that the blades had been brought by protesters to attack officers, SFI leaders denied the accusation. Besides, a female SFI activist claimed she suffered injuries caused by a blade during the clashes and alleged that police personnel were responsible.