A Youth Congress march taken out to the District Collectorate here on Tuesday demanding the expulsion of Transport Minister Thomas Chandy from the Cabinet ended in a face-off with the police.
The police waited for two hours before removing the protesters who laid a siege to the Collectorate. They arrested two dozen protesters who staged a sit-in in front of the Collectorate. Youth Congress leaders alleged that they were dragged by the police along the road.
District Congress Committee vice president Veekshanam Mohammed inaugurated the dharna. Youth Congress Malappuram parliamentary committee president Riyas Mukkoli presided.
The protesters alleged that the government was protecting the Transport Minister, who is accused of encroaching upon government land. Youth Congress leaders P.C. Velayudhankutty, C.K. Haris, Uppoodan Shoukath, Mujeeb Anakkayam and K.S. Aneesh spoke.