PFI workers clash with Kerala cops, hurl stones as K'taka starts process to ban outfit | Top points

Popular Front of India (PFI) workers took to the streets in Kerala in protests against NIA, ED raids and arrests of its leaders. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported in several parts of Kerala. Meanwhile, Karnataka said the process to ban PFI is already underway.

Popular Front of India (PFI) workers hit the streets on Friday in protests in Kerala, a day after NIA and ED raids over terror links. The Kerala High Court took a suo moto case against the radical outfit after sporadic incidents of violence were reported from across the state. State buses were vandalised and cops were attacked during the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the PFI on Friday.

The stir came a day after the central probe agencies launched a massive crackdown on PFI networks across the country, leading to over 100 arrests.

When protests were underway in neighbouring Kerala, a Karnataka minister said the procedure to ban the radical outfit was underway in the state.

1) Several incidents of vandalism and violence were reported across Kerala and stones were pelted in various districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Alappuzha as PFI workers took to the streets demanding the release of their leaders.

Windows of state buses were broken and police were attacked when they attempted to detain the workers. Local media reported that a petrol bomb was hurled at a vehicle which was carrying newspapers for distribution at Narayanpara in Kannur.

2) A two-member group also hurled a petrol bomb at an RSS office in Kannur and broke the window panes. Yesterday night, similar attacks on RSS and BJP offices were reported in Tamil Nadu as well.

3) In Erattupetta town of Kottayam district, police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse PFI workers when they tried to block vehicles after gathering in large numbers, closed shops and threatened people who were travelling in private vehicles.