Kerala (VSK). 500 people were arrested and 400 others put under preventive detention on Friday in connection with violent protests during the twelve-hour strike called by PFI to protest the arrest of the organisation’s leaders. The protests also saw stone pelting at an RSS office in Mattannur in Kannur.
According to media reports ADGP Law and Order, told that that 500 people had been arrested so far in connection with the protests.
“500 people have been arrested in connection with that and 400 more have been put under preventive detention in connection with a hartal called by the Popular front of India (PFI). Two incidents of stone pelting were reported at the RSS office at Mattanur,” the ADGP said.
The ADGP also gave details of another incident where arrests were made for carrying an explosive device.
“In another case, two persons on motorcycle with a bomb were arrested. Three more people were arrested later. All the five have been arrested. Currently, the situation is normal and under control,” he said.
According to reports, Earlier in the day, a petrol bomb was also hurled at the RSS karyalaya in Mattannur during the protest against the arrest of the PFI activists. Two persons on a scooter hurled a petrol bomb at the Sangh karyalaya which resulted in the shattering of window panes.
According to the police, stone-pelting incidents were reported at various places in the state during the protest. Visuals showed the protestors pelting stones at the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Panamaram village in Wayanad district. The bus was going to Kozhikode. KSRTC buses were also attacked in Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha and Kollam.
“Two miscreants on a bike at Pallimukku in the Kollam district abused police officials and hit them after they attempted to stop them,” police said.
The injured police officials identified as Antony and Nikhil have been admitted to the hospital. The police said the accused will soon be taken into custody.
In the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram, an auto rickshaw and a car were seen in a damaged state after being attacked in Poonthura. In Kottayam, roads were seen deserted.
