Violent Clash Between UDF and CPI-M Workers in Kerala's Perambra Forces Police Intervention

DySP Hariprasad sustained injuries during the violent confrontation. (Representational)

Kozhikode:

A violent clash broke out between Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and CPI-M workers in Kerala's Perambra on Friday evening. Police were forced to deploy tear gas and lathi charge to control the situation.

The confrontation resulted in multiple injuries, including to Congress MP Shafi Parambil, Kozhikode DCC president Praveen Kumar, and several UDF workers.

DySP Hariprasad was also injured during the clashes.

The violence stemmed from escalating tensions related to the CKG College Union election, where a dispute between the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and Kerala Students Union (KSU) had led to confrontations the previous day.

The unrest expanded into Perambra's town center as protest marches involving both UDF and CPI-M supporters turned violent.

As tensions escalated, opposing groups engaged in stone-pelting and physical altercations.

Law enforcement intervened with baton charges and tear gas to restore peace.

Images showed Parambil with facial bleeding, after which he stated that the state government cannot use violence to divert attention from the Sabarimala gold robbery.

"The police also should not think they can get away with this attack on our workers," Parambil declared.

Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan claimed that CPI-M criminals and police officers acting as party thugs attacked Parambil.

"It should not be forgotten that this is the outcome of a government that condones gold smuggling, gold theft, and treasury looting. The criminals in the police who wielded batons on behalf of the CPI-M are not being paid from the AKG Centre. The government should not assume that attacking leaders and activists can divert attention from the Sabarimala gold robbery. Your defeat in the Perambra CKG College Union election is only the beginning. An even bigger defeat awaits you," stated Satheesan.

Former Home Minister and senior Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan criticized the CPI-M for instigating violence, noting that with two upcoming elections, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Left government is "caught on the wrong foot" and has resorted to familiar violent tactics.