Wayanad: Kerala Congress organized a statewide protest on Friday after the attack by SFI activists earlier in Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi's office. The protests were intense, and in some places, including Kottayam, it got violent after Left party workers attempted to disrupt the march. Senior Congress district leaders were injured in the violence that occurred in Kottayam.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, meanwhile, spoke about ensuring 'stern action' against the culprits, noting it was wrong to turn demonstrations into 'violent' ones. In visuals that have emerged, Congress workers are seen on the streets, clashing with the police and at one point burning a tyre in the middle of the road.
Earlier, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi's office was vandalized by a group of SFI (Students Federation of India) workers in his constituency earlier in the day. The SFI activists broke the materials inside the office when a march to the MP's office turned violent. The student body was protesting against Gandhi's lack of response to the Buffer zone order from the Supreme Court, demanding a 1 km buffer around all national parks, sanctuaries, and other reserves of the sort. Police lathi-charged to disperse the crowd.
Congress, meanwhile alleged that the police have been giving support to the SFI activists to unleash violence against Rahul Gandhi's office. The shutter to the office was also damaged in the attack. Congress also alleged that Rahul Gandhi's office secretary Agustine Pulpally was also attacked by the SFI activists. Following the incident, Congress workers marched to the spot and police had to use force to disperse the protesting party cadres. CPI(M) meanwhile clarified that the party does not want any protest to turn violent.
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