Yuva Morcha activists clash with police

KOCHI: Yuva Morcha activists clashed with the police on Sunday when they tried to barge into  Mullaperiyar dam premises through Vallakadavu checkpost for cutting a canal to divert the water in the dam.    The activists attempted to cut the canal soon after the BJP protest march at Vallakadavu was inaugurated by party state president V Muraleedharan.The police resorted to lathicharge after the activists broke the police barricade and barged into the checkpost. The  Yuva Morcha activists pelted stones at the police. Three activists were injured in the lathicharge and they have been admitted to a private hospital. No case has been charged and no one was arrested in this connection, the police officials said.Meanwhile, addressing the agitators at Vallakadavu, Muraleedharan said that all politicians should conduct fast in front of the Prime Minister’s residence. He added that the Centre has taken a lethargic stand over the issue and time has come to extend the protests to national level. As the Centre has not taken any favourable decision in this regard, there is a strong feeling among the people that the agitation has died out midway, he said.