LDF protest at CM's venue turns violent

Black flag demonstration staged by LDF workers over solar panel scam at the venue of a public function of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at Manjery near here turned violent this evening, resulting in minor injuries to several persons in stone pelting.
Tension prevailed in the area for a while as the protesters clashed with police who prevented them from marching to the venue, where Chandy had arrived to inaugurate a Government Medical College Hospital.
According to police, at least six persons, including a mediaperson, suffered injuries in stone throwing by the marchers. Tension escalated as activists of IUML's youth wing Youth League sought to resist the LDF activists.

Police, however, brought the situation under control and the Chief Minister inaugurated the Medical College unfazed by the protest.
Criticising the LDF for seeking to stall the programme, Chandy said the Government would go ahead with its developmental and welfare agenda ignoring the provocations sought to be created by the LDF.
Union Minister E Ahamed and several state ministers attended the function, which marked the inauguration of the sixth state-run medical college in the state and the first in Malappuram district. For time being, the medical college would be attached to the District General hospital in Manjery.
The LDF and its youth outfits have been staging black flag protests during the public functions of Chandy for the last two months, demanding his resignation over the solar panel scam.