Police baton-charge, use water canons on protesters near Kerala secretariat

Police resorted to baton charge and used water cans against scores of protesters in front of Kerala secretariat on Tuesday night as weeks-long agitation intensified against alleged backdoor appointment in various government departments. Demanding an extension of six more months validity of Last Gre PSC rank list published in 2017, several youngsters sat in front of state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram earlier in day and raised slogans against alleged backdoor appointments, even as a youth tried to jump off from a nearby building.

Late on Tuesday night, Youth Congress also protested in front of secretariat, resulting in police resorting to caning and use of water canns. A group of Last Gre PSC rank holders has been protesting in front of secretariat since January 26.

" validity of our rank list published in 2017 is only up to June 2021. Our demand is to extend validity to six more months," a rank holder told media.

In Kannur, protesters, including women, held 'shayanaprakshanam' (rolled on floor), while y knelt down and held prayers in front of PSC office in Kochi. Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac said protests were instigated by Congress party. " Opposition have been misleing youngsters that everyone who comes in rank list will get a job," Isaac said. Congress leer Ramesh Chennithala said Opposition would intensify protests in matter.

" state is witnessing anger of youngsters," Chennithala said.

Congress state president Mullappally Ramachandran said government was "insensitive" towards protests of youngsters. Congress-led United Democratic Front has also been protesting across state alleging "backdoor appointments" into various departments of state government.

Left government has, however, decided to counter backdoor appointment allegation of opposition and has been releasing list of various appointments me by previous UDF government before end of its term. Earlier this week, two men, along with or PSC rank holders of Last Gre Servant 2020 post, attempted to commit suicide but was immediately thwarted by police.