SFI Calls for Shutdown of Kerala Colleges After Activist’s Murder

The incident was triggered by an argument over sticking posters within the campus between the two political groups.

Abhimanyu, the 20-year-old BSc Chemistry student of Maharaja’s college in Kochi, Kerala.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

In a response to the brutal murder of student activist Abhimanyu in Kochi, the Central Executive Committee of the Students Federation of India, which he was a member of, has called for a nation wide protest.

SFI, which is the student wing of the ruling CPI (M) has called for all classes to be shut across college campuses in Kerala to protest against the political murder allegedly by the Campus Front of India (PFI's students wing). A statement by Sachin Dev, Secretary of SFI state committee, made the call for protest.

"We will hold a protest meeting in all district centres on Monday to project the political violence of Campus Front. There was a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Maharaja’s campus which they distorted. They deliberately created issues for that. SFI would hold meetings in all campuses in all districts to explain the violence of politics. Also we will hold protest meeting in all district centres. SFI has called for shut down of classes in all campuses," Dev told TNM.

In an incident that sent shockwaves across Kerala, a student of Maharaja's college in Kochi, was stabbed to death inside the hostel premises on Sunday, 1 July.

Abhimanyu, the 20-year-old BSc Chemistry student, was killed when SFI students and Campus Front of India (Student Wing of PFI) workers allegedly clashed inside the campus on Sunday.

A native of Marayoor in Idukki, Abhimanyu was allegedly stabbed on late Sunday night.

According to reports, the incident was triggered by an argument over sticking posters within the campus between the two groups. Abhimanyu was painting the walls of the campus to welcome the new batch of students whose classes were to begin on Monday. However, college staff has said that following this incident, the dates would be postponed. An official announcement will be made soon.

Another student of the college, 19-year-old Arjun who studies BSc Philosophy, also sustained severe injuries. He has been admitted to the Ernakukulam Medical Trust Hospital in the city and had to undergo an emergency surgery.

Police have arrested Kottayam native Bilal and Farooq and Fort Kochi native Riyaz over the incident. Investigations are underway.

‘Trained Criminals Murdered Abhimanyu’

Trained criminals from neighbouring districts were involved in the gruesome murder of Abhimanyu at Maharajas College in Ernakulam, M Swaraj, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA said.

We have learnt that only one or two involved in the attack are students. The rest are trained henchmen. You might be aware that such people were involved in an attack against police during the Holy Month of Ramadan in Aluva.

M Swaraj, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA

A police team was beaten up by a localite in Aluva and when he was taken into custody a group of people made a ruckus at the police station.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in the Assembly that the group comprised of some who were former members of NDF and had terrorist links.

Meanwhile, police said that out of the attackers, one had taken admission in the college last week and one was about to join on Monday.

Our initial investigations reveal that the rest are outsiders. A probe is on. Soon, the culprits will be caught. Around three people are already under custody and one is in his 30s.

A police official

Meanwhile, SFI alleged that Abimanyu was hacked to death by NDF (Popular Front) criminals inside the college.

“A group of NDF activists came from outside and attacked the college students with deadly weapons. Another comrade also has been severely injured and hospitalised in critical state. Red Salutes to our beloved Comrades," SFI said.

(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)