BJP and Youth Congress workers clash during protest in Kerala

BJP and Youth Congress workers clashed in Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, after a black-flag protest against Kerala Sports and Youth Affairs Minister O.J. Janeesh on Tuesday. The confrontation began near Aralumoodu, where BJP and Yuva Morcha workers obstructed the minister’s convoy as he travelled to a public programme.

The minister’s official vehicle was reportedly accompanied by five police vehicles. Police removed the initial protesters from the area, but tensions rose when BJP workers staged another protest close to the nearby venue. Youth Congress workers also arrived, and the two groups confronted each other.

Police intervened and used force, including a lathi charge, to disperse the protesters and restore order. BJP Thiruvananthapuram south district president Mukkampalamoodu Biju was injured in the clashes and was admitted to a private hospital in Neyyattinkara with an injury to his hand. Two Youth Congress workers also sustained injuries and sought medical treatment.

The supplied report did not provide their names or details of the injuries. BJP workers alleged that Congress workers deliberately provoked the violence and tried to attack their district leader. They also accused police of failing to prevent the confrontation and of assisting the protesters.

Youth Congress leaders rejected those allegations. They said BJP and Yuva Morcha workers had obstructed the minister’s convoy, presenting the protest as the trigger for the confrontation. The incident occurred amid a series of black-flag protests by BJP workers against ministers and Congress leaders in different parts of Kerala.

The protests followed a similar action by Youth Congress workers during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Kollam. BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said the party would intensify its agitation until those responsible for the protest against Shah were brought to book.