SFI Workers Distributing Sweets Detained Before Home Minister's Visit to Karthikapally School for Praveshanolsavam

Alappuzha: SFI workers distributing sweets to children on the first day of the new academic year were taken into preventive custody by police in Karthikapally, Alappuzha, ahead of a visit by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. Kanyakulangara police detained the workers — including SFI Karthikapally Area Secretary S Ashiq — about half an hour before the minister arrived. They were released after the minister's programme concluded.

Police claimed the workers were carrying the organisation's flag and alleged this indicated a potential protest. The SFI workers, however, maintained that there was no protest of any kind at the scene and that they were present solely to distribute sweets to incoming students.

Home Minister Chennithala had arrived to attend the Praveshanolsavam celebrations at Karthikapally UP School. Other SFI workers gathered outside the police station to protest the detention of their colleagues.