All-party meet to probe clashes at Vadakara

KOZHIKODE: The all-party peace meet held at Vadakara on Thursday has decided to conduct a detailed probe into the incidents related to the student clashes at Government College Madapally. The college had witnessed a spate of violent clashes between students which spread outside the campus resulting in physical attack on girls and even a local merchant.

As many as four students were suspended in the incident and 16 others arrested. An all-party committee, except CPM has began an indefinite strike at Madapally demanding justice in the incident as according to them SFI was unleashing unilateral attacks and the college Principal is not ready to take action. “The deputy director of collegiate education will conduct a thorough probe into the incidents. Further, temporary police protection will be arranged at the college to resume classes,” said district collector U.V. Jose, who chaired the meeting. 

Inside the campus, it is UDSF, a joint forum of KSU and MSF, who are protesting, demanding action against SFI attacks, and outside the college it was UDF, led by MLA Parakkal Abdulla. “SFI cannot tolerate other student organisation activities in the campus. It is undemocratic and unleashes attacks on those who dare to submit nomination papers in the union election. Even girls are not spared,” said Mr Abdulla. 

But CPM says that UDF is trying to make the campus a haven of communal hotbed, with the backing of fundamental student groups masquerading as secular organisations. The protest march carried out by UDF to the college on Wednesday too resulted in a police lathicharge.