Thiruvananthapuram: Police action was taken against LPST (Lower Primary School Teacher) candidates protesting in front of the Secretariat demanding various issues. At night, police officers who arrived at the protest site dismantled the protest camp. Efforts to remove the protesters from the area also began. Hunger striker Valarmathi was arrested by the police and taken to a hospital.
As candidates alleged that force was used to remove protesters, the protest in front of the Secretariat intensified further. The candidates strongly protested the police move to dismantle the protest camp. They stated that they would not withdraw from the strike without their demands being resolved and that police actions would not end their protest. According to the candidates, even if the protest camp was removed, the demonstrations in front of the Secretariat would continue.
The police had earlier issued a notice regarding the removal of the protest camp established in front of the Secretariat and had filed a case against Valarmathi, who was leading the protest. However, the candidates maintained a firm stance that they would not allow the protest camp to be dismantled and had informed that they would remain at the protest site until their demands were met.
When the candidates did not agree to remove the protest camp even after the notice was given, police took action at night. Police officers at the protest site not only dismantled the tent but also tried to remove the protesters forcefully. It was during this operation that Valarmathi, who was on a hunger strike, was arrested and taken to hospital.
The arrest of a person participating in the hunger strike and the removal of the protest camp triggered strong protests among the candidates. They accused the authorities of attempting to forcibly remove individuals who were peacefully protesting.
The police action of dismantling the protest camp was also opposed by the DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India). While the candidates' protests intensified, political reactions against the police action also increased. Criticism was raised that the government was trying to eliminate the protest rather than addressing the candidates’ demands.
The candidates made it clear that their problems would not end just because the protest camp was removed, and they had collectively decided to continue the protest until their demands were accepted. Candidates had also raised placards to protest against the jatha (procession) held by Minister O. J. Janardhanan, which was followed by police intervening to dismantle the protest camp.
The candidates stated that the placard protests were aimed at drawing the government’s attention to their demands. The protests against the jatha along with the police action that followed have led to a new twist in the controversy surrounding the protest.
Although the decision to remove the protest camp had been notified earlier, the police action following the protests against the jatha drew further public discussion.
Despite the loss of the protest camp due to police action, the LPST candidates have maintained their stance of not withdrawing from the protests. They reiterated that the protest would continue until their demands are met and warned that removing the protest site should not be interpreted as ending the protest.
The core issue of the protest remains the demand for a permanent resolution to the candidates’ problems. The dismantling of the protest camp has heightened tensions between the candidates and the police.
Meanwhile, as protests escalate against the police action, attention is now on the government’s response to the candidates’ demands. Whether discussions will be initiated with the protesters to resolve the issues or if the protests will gain further momentum remains to be seen. The candidates continue their protest declaring they will not step back until their demands are fulfilled.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
