Kerala: PFI’s violent protest over raids; buses vandalized, cops attacked

KSRTC buses, a tanker lorry and some other vehicles got damaged in the stone pelting

September 23, 2022

PFI bandh in Kerala turns violent

Popular Front of India’s (PFI) protest against the raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has turned violent in various parts of Kerala. Stones were pelted at Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses (KSRTC) in various districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Alappuzha. Two civilian police officers were pushed down by PFI protestors.

The NIA officials raided the offices and residences of the radical Islamic outfit PFI yesterday early morning followed by the detention and arrests of leaders of PFI. The hartal was called by the PFI to protest against the raids by the NIA and other agencies for supporting terror activities in the country.

PFI state president C P Mohammed Basheer, national chairman OMA Salam, national secretary Nasaruddin Elamaram, former chairman E Abubacker, and others were among those arrested.

Local media reported that a petrol bomb was hurled at a vehicle that was carrying newspapers for distribution at Narayanpara in Kannur in the morning. In Alappuzha, KSRTC buses, a tanker lorry, and some other vehicles got damaged in the stone pelting allegedly by those supporting the hartal call.

A 15-year-old girl and an auto-rickshaw driver suffered minor injuries in the stone pelting allegedly by PFI activists in Kozhikode and Kannur respectively. Meanwhile, Kerala police beefed up security in the state and issued directions to the district police chiefs to ensure law and order after the PFI called for a day-long state-wide hartal.

A statement issued by the police said stern action will be taken against those who violate the law. “All the policemen in the state will be deployed for the maintenance of law and order,” the statement said.

The PFI on Thursday had said a hartal will be observed in the state today “against the RSS-controlled fascist government’s attempt to silence dissenting voices using the central agencies”.

On Thursday, PFI workers had taken out marches to the places where raids were carried out and raised slogans against the Centre and its investigating agencies. However, central forces were already deployed in all such places as part of strengthening security.

PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.