LDF walkout in assembly against police lathi-charge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI-M-led LDF Opposition members in Kerala today staged a walkout in the Assembly to protest police lathicharge on pro-CPI-M student outfit Students Federation of India activists at Kozhikode.

SFI had taken a march yesterday as part of their campaign against alleged irregularities in Universities in the state.

Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion moved by A Pradeepkumar ( CPI-M), State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said it was not the policy of the government to suppress students' agitation.

He said police maintained restraint but acted when students pelted stones at them. Nine police personnel were injured in stone pelting, he said, adding SFI state secretary T P Bineesh was also injured.

However, Pradeepkumar said several functionaries sustained injuries in the lathi-charge.

Not satisfied with government response, Opposition members led by its leader and CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan walked out of the House.