Kannur, 01 Oct (H.S.):

Minister O.J. Janeesh has called for a surprise raid modelled on Operation Toofan at Thiruvananthapuram’s University College, saying a police lathicharge would not address the situation at the institution.

Speaking to reporters at the Payyambalam Guest House in Kannur, the minister alleged that the college had become an SFI stronghold where student politics and democratic activity had given way to “sheer hooliganism”.

His remarks came amid accusations over an attack on a Congress protest march against the Union government and the Election Commission.

Janeesh said Congress elected representatives had participated in the demonstration to raise their opposition to the Centre. While the BJP’s objection to the protest was understandable, he questioned why the SFI had intervened against it.

“Congress representatives were protesting against the Union government. What problem does the SFI have with that?” he asked.

The minister alleged that bottles were hurled towards the spot where elected representatives were standing. He maintained that Congress participants had not provoked anyone and accused SFI activists of attacking the march.

He also accused the DYFI and SFI of using underhand tactics to disrupt a protest directed against the Centre and the Election Commission.

Rejecting suggestions that the agitation targeted Pinarayi Vijayan, Janeesh made a disparaging remark about the mental state of those interpreting the protest that way.

The minister denied that Congress workers had attacked BJP leader P.K. Krishnadas’s vehicle. He said police were investigating the incident involving a beer bottle thrown towards the BJP state committee office.

Referring to controversial police interventions described as “rescue operations” during the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government, he questioned whether the present situation would have arisen had police acted in the same manner.

He reiterated that University College required a sudden raid, placing the demand at the centre of his criticism of the SFI.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman