Policemen, KSU workers injured in clash

Kochi, June 21 (UNI) At least three policemen and several Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists were injured in a clash today as police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protestors, who turned violent during their march to the District Education Office (DEO) here.

The injured KSU workers were admitted to the General Hospital, local Congress leaders said.

Earlier in the day, the KSU activists' march to the office of the Deputy Director of Education (DDE) was inaugurated by Ernakulam District Congress Committee president K P Dhanabalan from the DCC office.

The KSU activists sat on a 'dharna' outside the DDE office for some time and then tried to break the police cordon to force their way into the DDE's office.

As the police resisted the protestors' advance, they allegedly hurled stones at the police, following which the policemen resorted to a lathicharge to disperse them.

Condemning the ''police assault,'' the KSU leaders said there will be no let-up in the group's protests against the government's education policy.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Chandy Oomen, son of former Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy and some KSU activists were injured when police blocked the march to the office of the DDE and lobbed water cannons against them.

A report from Kannur said, five police officials, including a DSP and a Circle Inspector were injured in stone throwing by the KSU workers.

UNI TEAM ROY AK PM2049