Tension Mounts as CPI(M) Workers Clash with Police Over Arrests in Kerala

Thalassery Police have charged more than 50 CPI(M) workers for allegedly detaining officers and freeing an accused from custody. The incident arose after an altercation at a temple festival where CPI(M) activists allegedly assaulted police. Meanwhile, Kerala leaders criticize new UGC regulations for undermining university autonomy.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Thalassery Police registered a case against over 50 workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday. The charges stem from an alleged incident where party members confined police officers and liberated an accused individual from their custody.

This confrontation originated during a temple festival where clashes had erupted between BJP and CPI(M) activists. As police intervened to manage the disturbance, they were reportedly assaulted by the CPI(M) members, who also obstructed law enforcement activities. Consequently, twenty-seven CPI(M) operatives have been formally accused.

Compounding the issue, when police attempted to arrest one of the accused activists on Thursday, a large contingent of CPI(M) workers reportedly locked the officers in a room and rescued the accused. Separately, Kerala's CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the new UGC draft regulations, asserting it's a threat to university autonomy and federalism.