CPI-M student arm ends protest in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 31 (IANS) The student wing of the CPI-M on Tuesday decided to end its protest after the Kerala Law Academy said that principal Lekshmi Nair will not be involved in day-to-day affairs of the institute.

While the SFI leaders claim that the management has agreed to all the main demands and they have withdrawn from the strike after 21 days, others said that this was a tactical move by the management and the SFI.

"We are after all students of law and our demand is very clear that the principal should come out with a letter stating that she has resigned. This move of the management is not acceptable to all of us, as the principal can approach the courts. Our demand stays and it is she should resign and that should be a written one by her," said a group of girl students of other organisations.

State Congress president V. M. Sudheeran reached the venue of the protesters and told the media that the SFI and the CPI-M have committed the biggest hoax on the student community at the academy.

"It's most surprising that the SFI and the Academy management have on the sly tried to sabotage the ongoing strike. From tomorrow onwards our legislator K. Muraleedharan will start an indefinite fast," said Sudheeran.

Earlier in the day angry BJP protesters including their top leader K. Surendran were caned by the police after they sat on a protest blocking the main road in front of the academy.

Former legislator and CPI leader R. Lathadevi said that it's baffling the way the SFI decided to withdraw from the strike, leaving all the other students who were united in their demands, high and dry.

The CPI is the second biggest ally of the ruling Left government but it has been taking a strong stand against the CPI-M and its student organisation AISF has called for a statewide protest demanding the sacking of Lekshmi Nair.