Thiruvananthapuram: Cantonment police removed Valarmathi S, who heads the All Kerala LPST Rankholders Association, from her protest site in Thiruvananthapuram after she spent 16 days on an indefinite hunger strike demanding action on the association’s concerns. The police also dismantled the temporary shelters and removed the flex banners erected by the protesters in front of the Secretariat late on Wednesday night.
Police had previously directed the association to clear the banners and temporary structures through a notice, followed by another communication informing it of a case registered in connection with the protest. However, the protesters said they were not informed before the latest eviction. Valarmathi was taken to the General Hospital on medical advice after her condition deteriorated.
Less than an hour after the police operation, DYFI workers erected a temporary protest shelter at the same location, enabling the agitation to continue. Also, another member of the rankholders’ association, M Jayakrishnan, took over the indefinite hunger strike.
CM VD Satheesan is facing criticism over the police action against the association. The action has drawn attention to the contrast between Satheesan’s present position and the stand he took as Leader of the Opposition.
Supporting the same rank holders in the Assembly, he had said, “We are politicians and those in power. We should not show anger towards people who raise slogans against us or stage protests.” He had also described the protesters as young people from poor families and urged the then LDF government not to dismiss their demand for jobs.
During a visit to their protest site, he expressed concern over the despair on their faces and promised that a UDF government would address their demands within 24 hours of assuming office.
Now as Chief Minister, Satheesan’s government has cited financial constraints in responding to some of the association’s demands, including reducing the teacher-student ratio to create more posts. The protesters accuse him of going back on his assurances despite eight rounds of talks. The police action, which also involved removing the protest structures and banners, has intensified the criticism.
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