The bandh that the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Kerala called in protest of the early-morning searches and the detention of its top leaders by government agents descended into violence on Friday. Several violent and vandalising incidents have been documented throughout the state, with stones being thrown in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Alappuzha, to name a few.
The Kerala High Court issued a suo motu cognisance against the PFI leaders when the rallies descended into violence and called for a flash hartal in the state, which had previously been outlawed by the court. The court ruled that attacks that are now occurring require immediate action. Flash hartals are those that are announced without prior notice. Therefore, the Kerala High Court has ruled that hartals must be convened with at least seven days’ notice.
People who supported the state-wide bandh called for today by the Popular Front of India to protest NIA raids are said to have damaged an auto-rickshaw and a car, according to ANI.
A bus operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was vandalised in Companypadi, close to Aluva, a report said.
People who supported the call for a hartal were said to have thrown stones at KSRTC buses, a tanker truck, and other vehicles in Alappuzha, which caused damage.
PTI says that PFI activists threw stones at a 15-year-old girl and an auto-rickshaw driver in Kozhikode and Kannur, respectively, causing them to get minor injuries.
DAMAGE TO TWO POLICE OFFICERS
Antony and Nikhil, who work for the civil police in Kollam, were hurt when PFI supporters attacked them.
When the police tried to stop two guys on a bike from abusing people, they pushed the officer. Now that two of the police officers have been hospitalised, the bike’s number has been located. The culprit will soon be taken into jail, according to police.
After the PFI called for a one-day state-wide “hartal,” the police in Kerala stepped up security and told district police heads to keep the peace.
According to a police statement, people who break the law will face harsh punishment. The announcement stated that “all cops in the state will be deployed for the protection of law and order.”
According to the PFI, a hartal will be observed today in the state “against the fascist administration run by the RSS’s attempt to muzzle dissenting voices utilising the central agencies.” According to A. Abdul Sathar, state general secretary for PFI, the hartal would last from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Cops injured, buses attacked: Kerala High Court takes note as PFI’s bandh over NIA raids degenerates into violence
