'Kiss Street’ protest turns violent in Kozhikode; police resort to lathicharge

Kozhikode: Activists of Hanuman Sena and members of a cultural organisation clashed in Kozhikode on Friday when the latter gathered for a ‘Kiss Street’ programme.

The clash occurred when the Sena members protested against the 10-member group, including women, of ‘Njattuvela Samskarika Pravarthaka Sangam’ who assembled near the Central Library in Kozhikode to protest against facism and intolerance.

Police dispersed the groups and booked the volunteers of the organisation.

None was injured in the clash, police said.

Cases under IPC section 160 (punishment for affray) has been registered against 16 Hanuman Sena activists. Three volunteers of the sangam, including two women, were booked under 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty).

The organisers said the ‘Kiss Street’ had no connection with the ‘Kiss of Love’ movement against moral policing conducted last year.