Clashes break out between DYFI and BJP-RSS workers in Kerala, 19 injured

Clashes broke out between Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and BJP-RSS activists on Tuesday during a DYFI rally in Kottapara, Kerala.

At least 19 people from both sides were injured after a group of BJP-RSS workers allegedly started pelting stones when volunteers of the DYFI- youth wing of CPI(M), were returned from a rally at Kottapara.

The police have registered cases under various IPC sections, including 147 (punishment for rioting) but no one has been arrested yet as the matter is being investigated.

CPI(M) district secretary Satheesh Chandran claimed that eight DYFI activists were injured in the clash.

Two of them, who were seriously injured, were taken to the Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur while the others were admitted to the Neeleswaram Co-operative Hospital, he claimed.

On the other hand, BJP district president Sreekanth has also claimed that 11 workers of his party were injured in the "attack by DYFI activists" and they have been admitted to the Neeleswaram hospital.

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There has been a spike in clashes between cadres of the RSS and the CPI(M) lately, with each accusing the other of murdering their respective workers.Earlier on July 29, an RSS worker was murdered in Thiruvananthapuram.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley had also visited the state and accused the CPI(M) of using its workers to "eliminate" its political opponents and creating an environment of violence.

The CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan hitting back at Jaitley had alleged that the violent clashes between RSS and CPI(M) workers in the state increased after BJP President Amit Shah's visit in June this year.

(With PTI inputs)