Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Police, lawyers clash; 7 injured

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

Hand of law: Lawyers and policemen clash at the District Court Complex in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

Thiruvananthapuram: Seven persons, including journalists, were injured on Wednesday when policemen stormed the district court premises here following a clash with lawyers.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has ordered an enquiry into the incident. The State police have suspended two policemen, including a Circle Inspector, in this connection.

The Thiruvananthapuram Bar Association said its members would boycott the court on Thursday in protest against the police action. The violence started around 11.30 a.m. when lawyers boycotted the court and marched towards the Rural District Police Superintendent's office in protest against the arrest of their colleague on Tuesday.

Assault on traffic police

A few protestors allegedly assaulted two traffic policemen on patrol outside the court gate. The police attempted to detain two lawyers allegedly responsible for the assault.

The lawyers determinedly prevented the police from arresting their colleagues, resulting in a fracas at the entrance of the court precincts.

Deputy Commissioner of Police C. H. Nagaraju arrived with additional force and pressed for the arrest of the suspect lawyers.

Most of the protesting lawyers retreated into the district court building and shut the doors leading to its first floor.

Rumours on ‘hostage'

District Judge K. Ramakrishnan summoned Mr. Nagaraju to his chamber on the first floor. Mr. Nagaraju said he found himself mobbed by a section of lawyers who also attempted to manhandle his personal security officer.

Almost simultaneously, rumours spread that lawyers were holding Mr. Nagaraju hostage in the court building. The police force at the gate stormed into the court precincts and beat everybody in the path of their charge.

Around four journalists and a few lawyers bore the brunt of the police charge. The situation was defused following the intervention of Mr. Ramakrishnan and senior police officers. The journalists are being treated for their injuries at different hospitals in the city.

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