Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11: Clashes between Congress and CPI(M) youth workers broke out in Adoor in Kerala, prompting police to register three cases against activists, including former Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, officials said on Sunday.
Police registered cases against activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), Youth Congress, Students Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) following a series of incidents on Saturday night.
Tension reportedly began after the college union election at the College of Engineering, Adoor. The situation escalated when SFI and DYFI workers took out a protest rally against the detention of CPI(M) leaders in Delhi.
The first case relates to the alleged assault of two KSU leaders by SFI and DYFI activists in front of a medical store at Ezhamkulam around 7 pm. Police registered a case against seven activists in connection with the incident.
In the second case, two SFI activists were allegedly attacked by a group of around 25 KSU and Youth Congress workers at Adoor General Hospital around 10.50 pm. The group was allegedly led by Rahul Mamkootathil. Police registered a case against Mamkootathil and 26 other Youth Congress and KSU workers.
The third case concerns the alleged assault of a Youth Congress worker by SFI activists at a private hospital in Adoor around 11.30 pm. The worker had gone to the hospital to visit a KSU activist who had been injured in the clashes, police said.
Minor clashes were also reported from other parts of Adoor on Saturday night. Police said efforts were underway to ease tensions and prevent further violence.
Mamkootathil, who was suspended from the Congress last year following allegations of sexual assault, had also resigned as Youth Congress state president. Multiple sexual assault cases were registered against him, and he was arrested, according to the report. He currently holds no official position in the Congress but continues to express support for the party through social media posts.