Kottayam: The students’ union election at CMS College on Thursday turned violent after clashes broke out between activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Kerala Students Union (KSU).

According to reports, a group of SFI activists attempted to vandalise the counting centre after rumours spread that the KSU was heading for a sweeping victory. A heavy police force has been deployed on the campus to control the situation.

Clashes reportedly escalated around 4 pm when KSU activists who had won the election at Baselius College, a neighbouring institution, arrived at CMS College, accompanied by Congress workers. Initially, a verbal altercation broke out between SFI activists of CMS College and the visiting KSU group. The arguments soon turned violent, drawing in more supporters from both sides.

Two vehicles, including one belonging to a senior police officer, were vandalised during the incident.

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CPM and CITU activists also rushed to the campus following the violence. A police team led by an SP-rank officer is currently overseeing the situation. As the violence disrupted the election process, several students who could not cast their votes were forced to remain inside the college building.

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