KSU calls for state-wide bandh as plus-one seat crisis deepens

Thiruvanthapuram: The shortage of Plus One seats in Kerala has snowballed into a major controversy with the Congress-led student wing KSU calling for a closure of all educational institutions in the state on Tuesday.

The KSU and the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) have demanded an immediate solution to the shortage of Plus One seats, particularly in the Malabar region. The Student Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the CPM, has also announced protests.

But Education Minister V. Sivankutty has opposed the strike saying that the issue is being blown out of proportion. There is no crisis, despite 17,298 students still awaiting seats, he said.

The minister told the assembly that after the supplementary allotment, a shortfall of 7,408 seats would arise. However, he was confident of addressing the issue after holding discussions with the students’ organization representatives on Tuesday.

Ahmed Devarkovil, an MLA from the ruling front also raised the issue of Plus One seat shortage. He said despite the government's effective intervention, a seat shortage persists in the state.

Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty, lamented that even students who scored A plus marks were left without seats.

Students clash with police

Activists of the KSU and MSF staged protests throughout the state on Monday, leading to confrontations with the police at various locations.

The KSU's protest march to the Thodupuzha DDE office in Idukki was intercepted by the police. A minor clash ensued between the police and the activists when the latter attempted to dismantle the barricade.

In Kozhikode, KSU activists tried to obstruct the functioning of the Reginal Deputy Director (RDD) office. The police prevented the activists' from entering the office. Tense situation prevailed in the area as the police tried to take the agitating students into custody.

Later additional police forces arrived at the scene and detained seven activists including district president V T Sooraj.

The MSF organized a demonstration in Kannur demanding the resolution of Plus One seat crisis. Protesters gheraoed the higher secondary Regional Deputy Directorate's office.

The police swung into action and removed them from the office premises.