The fight against the management of the Kerala Law Academy has been on for days. Clashes broke out during the hartal called by the BJP on Wednesday seeking resignation of principal Lekshmi Nair, and the party’s Vice President lost vision in his left eye.
The clashes outside the Kerala Law Academy broke out around 11.30 am on Wednesday.
The BJP had called for a hartal in Thiruvananthapuram seeking resignation of Lekshmi Nair, the principal of Kerala Law Academy. Earlier, the Law Academy had agreed to remove Lekshmi Nair from the post and not allow her to become a faculty at the college for five years.
The BJP, Congress and its student organizations were however demanding her resignation and did not want any period time given to facilitate her return.
Around 300 BJP workers marched to the Law Academy on Wednesday morning. As police stopped them from entering the premises, few protesters started pelting stones.
The police then lathi charged, leading to an escalation in the violence. Water cannons and tear gas shells were used to disperse the angry crowds.
The shrapnel from a tear gas shell hit Vava’s face, injuring his left eye. Bleeding profusely from his face, he was rushed to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. BJP leaders say he has lost vision in his left eye.
BJP President condemned the police brutality.
Police brutality against #BJP Karyakarthas with aid of #JungleRajInKerala .@BJP4Keralam state vice president Dr. PP Vava brutally injured. pic.twitter.com/OmuJnC9TIX
— KummanamRajasekharan (@Kummanam) February 1, 2017
"Vava was present at the protests as always. Though he has physical ailments, this retired government officer was supporting the protestors actively. Pinarayi government will know the value of his blood soon," K Surendran BJP leader said.
Eight BJP workers, few police officers and three journalists too were injured in the clashes.