SFI activist arrested in ITI clash in Kerala’s Kannur

Amal, who is SFI unit secretary of the ITI, was taken into custody after CCTV footage revealed he initiated the assault on KSU unit president Muhammed Ribin

The police arrested Amal Babu, a Students Federation of India (SFI) activist and polytechnic student, from Panur in Kannur, Kerala, on Thursday (December 12, 2024) evening in connection with the recent clash between Kerala Students Union (KSU) and SFI activists at Thottada ITI.

Amal, who is the SFI unit secretary of the ITI, was taken into custody after CCTV footage revealed he initiated the assault on KSU unit president Muhammed Ribin. A case has been registered against him under Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) and 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police were set to produce him before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thalassery, on Friday (December 13).

The incident occurred following a heated altercation and clash between members of the two student wings. Ribin sustained a spinal injury in the attack and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.

The police have registered cases against 11 SFI activists based on a complaint filed by Ribin. These have been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 189(2), 191 (2), 191 (3), 126 (2), 351(3), 115(2)118(1),118(2), 110, 190.

Likewise, cases have been registered against five KSU activists and five others who could be identified based on a complaint filed by injured SFI activist M. Aashique.

ITI closed

In the wake of escalating tensions, the ITI has been closed indefinitely, with authorities urging both factions to maintain peace.

Investigations are on to determine the full scale of the incident.

Meanwhile, the police have called for a meeting on Friday to discuss the matter.

Published - December 13, 2024 12:11 pm IST