Calicut University campus clashes: CPI(M) Keralam secretary M.V. Govindan condemns attacks on SFI activists

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CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan displays footage of alleged attacks on SFI leaders during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday | Photo Credit: special arrangement

CPI(M) Keralam State secretary M.V. Govindan on Friday strongly condemned what he termed “brutal attacks unleashed by IUML, MSF and KSU goons” on SFI activists on the University of Calicut campus at Thenhipalam in Malappuram district recently.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Govindan called for strong action against the attackers and demanded that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, the State government and senior IUML leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty address the matter urgently and arrest the attackers. He termed the attacks “planned”.

Alleging that the police was “relegated to the role of mere spectators” throughout the attacks, the CPI(M) State secretary warned of strong reprisals unless stern and immediate action was taken against the perpetrators by the State government, the police and the IUML.

At the press conference, Mr. Govindan also exhibited minutes-long footage of SFI leaders being attacked allegedly inside a hospital following the clashes and photographs of injured SFI leaders.

According to Mr. Govindan, SFI activists and leaders were attacked “in retaliation for the failed attempt” to defeat the SFI in the students’ union polls “through illegal means.”

Mr. Govindan said that the rules for the student union elections were manipulated with the aim of defeating the SFI. Despite that, the students had “gifted a victory” to the SFI. “SFI leaders were attacked to spite the students who had voted for the SFI,” he said.

The SFI and the Left-progressive movements in Keralam have the power to take on such acts, he said.

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