Thiruvanthapuram: Protests demanding the resignation of higher education minister KT Jaleel turned violent in districts of Kerala in connection with the gold smuggling. Youth Congress, Yuva Morcha and BJP have been protesting for seventh day in a row after Jaleel has been questioned by National Investigation agency (NIA).
Several protesters had sustained injuries due to police action. The agitated protestors blocked Kozhikode-Palakkad national highway in Malappuram and were stopped by the policemen. The police fired teargas shells and erected barricades to stop the crowd in which several people were severely injured.
In Thiruvananthapuram, various organizations staged protests towards the Secretariat. Jaleel, who has been facing the heat of gold smuggling case, was questioned by NIA for two hours on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the CPM State Secretariat have decided that KT Jaleel will not quit his post. The opposition parties have brought goons and trying to create ruckus in the state in the name of 'protests'.
Youth wings of Bhartiya Janta Party and Congress have been staging protests in various parts of Kerala demanding the resignation of State Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel for his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case.
READ: Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA questions Jaleel for over 8 hours
BJP Yuva Morcha in Kochi tried to push Police's barricades, and block the roads in the Perumbavoor area. Police later detained the protesters.
Youth Congress workers also stated protest in Malappuram, where police used water cannon on protesters and later 'lathi-charged' on them.
Earlier today, Congress MP K Suresh had given Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha over lathi-charge on Kerala States Union and Youth Congress workers during protests and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Congress demanded the intervention of the Home Ministry into the matter.
Yesterday, in Palakkad, the police baton-charged many Congress workers for demanding Minister KT Jaleel's resignation for his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case. Some of the protesters were detained in Kochi for protesting on the same outside the office of the NIA. Several Congress leaders including MLA VT Balram were injured.
A few days ago, the Kerala Police cane-charged Youth Congress workers who were staging a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the gold smuggling case in Wayanad district.
The matter, which pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels, had come to light after 30 kg gold worth Rs 14.82 crores, smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage, was busted by Customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5.
With ANI inputs
READ: Kerala Minister K T Jaleel took to social media against false propaganda
