A protest led by BJP Mahila Morcha workers outside Vattiyoorkavu police station in Thiruvananthapuram saw dramatic and curious scenes, with former DGP and corporation councillor R Sreelekha raising slogans against the police. The demonstration was part of a protest against alleged one-sided police action in a BJP-CPM clash over the Nettayam incident.

Slogans included: "Poda pulle police, kakkiyitta oru gundakale, kakkiyitta themmadikale, kakkiyitta oru gundakale, Pinarayiyude themmadikale", which roughly means get lost, you useless police; uniformed goons; uniformed thugs; uniformed goons; Pinarayi's (Kerala chief minister's) thugs.

The notable aspect was Sreelekha's presence. She is Kerala Police's first woman DGP and, after retirement, joined the BJP and entered active politics. The city witnessed her raising slogans against former colleagues on the street.

Heavy deployment, water cannon used

The protest march began around 5 pm on Tuesday from Mannarakonam. Police deployed a large force outside the station, drawing personnel from multiple stations and camps across the city. Iron barricades and a water cannon were placed at the site, while the main gate of the station was shut by 4 pm.

Mahila Morcha workers, braving the rain, climbed over barricades and continued their protest, largely targeting Vattiyoorkavu Inspector Vipin. Pushing and verbal confrontations broke out with the police. When male officers intervened, the women sat on the road in protest, disrupting traffic through the junction.

Police attempted to disperse them using water cannons. Several protesters collapsed. Six women, including the councillor, were shifted to hospital in ambulances. Despite this, others remained seated on the road. Sreelekha, also BJP state vice-president, inaugurated the protest, while Mahila Morcha state secretary Anjana addressed the gathering. Amid this, water cannon use continued, and more protesters fainted, intensifying tensions. The protest ended after the injured were taken to hospital.

BJP alleges excesses; custodial assault claims emerge

The BJP alleged that police action in the Nettayam clash, led by SHO Vipin and SI Deepu, amounted to brutality reminiscent of the Emergency, and demanded action against the officers. At a press conference, Sreelekha, city district president Karamana Jayan and district general secretary Pappanamcode Saji said injuries to police were caused by stone-pelting by DYFI workers, and that digital evidence had been submitted to the city police commissioner.

Amid heightened protests, police apparently decided against further arrests. Senior officers stated there was no likelihood of an inquiry or action on complaints alleging lapses.

Protests intensified following allegations that BJP and RSS workers taken into custody were assaulted by police. BJP leaders Binu and Ayyappan, who alleged custodial assault, were later removed from the accused list and remain hospitalised.

On Monday, police detained six people after breaking open a committee office at the Edapazhanji temple premises. They were taken to the AR camp and allegedly assaulted.