PFI Hartal: Over 500 arrested, 400 detained for stone pelting, bomb hurling and attack against cops in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 500 people were arrested and 400 others put under preventive detention on Friday in connection with violent protests during the twelve-hour strike called by PFI to protest the arrest of the organisation's leaders. The protests also saw stone pelting at an RSS office in Mattannur in Kannur, police said. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Vijay Sakhare told ANI that 500 people had been arrested so far in connection with the protests.

The ADGP also gave details of another incident where arrests were made for carrying an explosive device."In another case, two persons on a motorcycle with a bomb were arrested. Three more people were arrested later. All five have been arrested. Currently, the situation is normal and under control," Sakhare said. Earlier in the day, a petrol bomb was also hurled at the RSS office in Mattannur during the protest against the arrest of the PFI activists. 

According to reports, two persons on a scooter hurled a petrol bomb at the Sangh office which resulted in the shattering of window panes. A day after PFI leaders were arrested in massive nationwide raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other agencies, the controversial organisation had called for a dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Friday. 

Also Read: PFI's Kerala bandh tuns violent: Protestors pelt stones at buses, vehicles; 2 policemen injured in Kollam

The hartal (strike) started at 6 am and will continue for 12 hours till 6 pm, informed a protester. According to the police, stone-pelting incidents were reported at various places in the state during the protest. Visuals showed the protestors pelting stones at the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Panamaram village in Wayanad district. The bus was going to Kozhikode. KSRTC buses were also attacked in Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha and Kollam." Two miscreants on a bike at Pallimukku in the Kollam district abused police officials and hit them after they attempted to stop them," police said. The injured police officials identified as Antony and Nikhil have been admitted to the hospital. The police said the accused will soon be taken into custody.