LDF walkout in assembly against police lathi-charge

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M-led LDF Opposition members in Kerala today staged a walkout in the Assembly to protest police lathicharge on pro-CPI-M student outfit Students Federation of India activists at Kozhikode. SFI had taken a march yesterday as part of their campaign against alleged irregularities in Universities in the state. Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion moved by A Pradeepkumar (CPI-M), State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said it was not the policy of the government to suppress students` agitation. He said police maintained restraint but acted when students pelted stones at them. Nine police personnel were injured in stone pelting, he said, adding SFI state secretary T P Bineesh was also injured. However, Pradeepkumar said several functionaries sustained injuries in the lathi-charge. Not satisfied with government response, Opposition members led by its leader and CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan walked out of the House.