BJP-Yuva Morcha march to Keralam Assembly turns violent, police use tear gas
The BJP and Yuva Morcha organised the march over alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission, including delays in recruitment to government jobs
BJP and Yuva Morcha protesters clashed with police in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Friday, leading to the deployment of tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. The unrest ensued after the BJP and Yuva Morcha organized a march to the Keralam State Assembly to protest alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission's recruitment process and to demand the resignation of the Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan.
Over 200 BJP and Yuva Morcha members, including women, attempted to breach police barricades as they marched towards the assembly. When protesters refused to back down, police officials fired water cannons initially, followed by tear gas when the demonstrators persisted. The BJP leaders claimed that the use of tear gas was unwarranted and alleged that several party members and a journalist covering the incident sustained injuries.
Yuva Morcha State Secretary Adeena Bharathi suffered a severe injury to her finger when a tear gas shell exploded, causing substantial flesh loss. Yuva Morcha Thiruvananthapuram South District President Choondikkal Hari also received a ligament injury in his leg. Approximately 30 Yuva Morcha workers were injured and received treatment at various medical facilities.
The Yuva Morcha called for state-wide demonstrations on Friday and Saturday in opposition to the police actions, accusing the UDF government of using excessive force. Yuva Morcha State President V Manu Prasad, BJP State General Secretary S Suresh, and BJP Vice-President P Sudheer visited the injured protesters at the hospitals to offer their support.
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