Several injured in DYFI-BJP clashes in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 26 (UNI) Several people, including BJP district President C Sivankutty, were injured when activists of the pro-Marxist Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the BJP Yuva Mocha clashed in front of the Kerala Secretariat here today.

Police resorted to lathicharge, lobbed teargas shells and used water canons to disperse the stone-pelting activists.

The BJP called for a district-level ''hartal'' in the state capital tomorrow, alleging that DYFI activists attacked them without any provocation.

Instead of chasing the DYFI activists away, police helped them to attack the BJP workers who were holding a peaceful ''dharna'' in front of the Secretariat, demanding the withdrawal of the controversial social science textbook of seventh standard, BJP State President P K Krishna Das alleged.

BJP activists blocked the road in front of the Secretariat till they got an assurance from the City Police Commissioner that action would be taken within 24 hours, after a proper inquiry, against the police personnel who allegedly attacked BJP leaders without any provocation.

A report from Kottayam said tension prevailed in the MC Road area after DYFI and BJP activists clashed with each other. In Alappuzha, two policemen were injured when BJP activists pelted stones at them.

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