Congress, CPI(M) youth workers clash in Adoor; Ex MLA Rahul Mamkootathil booked

Pathanamthitta (Keralam), Widespread clashes broke out between Congress and CPI(M) youth workers in Adoor here, prompting police to register three cases against activists, including former Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, officials said on Sunday.

Police said that three cases were registered against activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the Youth Congress, the Students Federation of India (SFI), and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

Tension began following the college union election at the College of Engineering, Adoor, on Saturday, police said.


The situation escalated after SFI and DYFI workers took out a protest rally in Adoor against the detention of CPI(M) leaders in Delhi, police said.

The first case pertains to the alleged attack on two KSU leaders by DYFI and SFI activists in front of a medical store at Ezhamkulam during the protest rally at around 7 pm.

Police registered a case against seven SFI and DYFI activists in connection with the incident, officials said.

In the second case, two SFI activists were allegedly attacked by a group of around 25 KSU and Youth Congress workers, led by Rahul Mamkootathil, at Adoor General Hospital around 10.50 pm, police said.

Police have registered a case against Mamkootathil and 26 others who are Youth Congress and KSU workers, officials said.

The third case relates to the alleged attack on a Youth Congress worker by SFI activists at a private hospital in Adoor around 11.30 pm.

The Youth Congress worker had reached the hospital to meet a KSU activist injured in the clash, police said.

Minor clashes were also reported from other parts of Adoor on Saturday night, police said, adding that efforts were underway to defuse tension and prevent further clashes.

Last year, Rahul Mamkootathil, who was then the Palakkad MLA, was suspended from the Congress following allegations of sexual assault.

He had also resigned as Youth Congress state president following the allegations.

Multiple sexual assault cases were registered against him, and he was arrested, police said.

Although Mamkootathil currently holds no position in the Congress, he continues to express support for the party through regular posts on his social media accounts.

Meanwhile, Mamkootathil told reporters that he became involved in the incident because the KSU and Youth Congress workers who were attacked were his friends.

He was responding to questions about his involvement in the clash despite being ousted from the party.

"When co-workers are attacked, I won't be a silent spectator," he said.

Mamkootathil denied assaulting anyone and alleged that DYFI and SFI workers had attacked two KSU workers.

"Is there any CCTV camera footage in which I was seen assaulting anyone," he asked.

Fenny Ninan, a Youth Congress leader and close friend of Mamkootathil, told reporters that DYFI workers had attacked KSU workers and that the Youth Congress workers' response was part of the ensuing clash.

He said Mamkootathil had led Youth Congress workers in the past.

"Mamkootathil is the person who has always provided us with leadership. We are indebted to him, we have affection for him, and he has affection for us as well," Ninan said.