Thiruvananthapuram: CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) Opposition on July 9 walked out of the Kerala Assemby, protesting the police lathi-charge on pro-LDF students and handcuffing of student leaders arrested during the state-wide Students Federation of India-led stir on July 8.

Replying on behalf of Chief Minister A K Antony to a notice of adjournment motion moved by the Opposition, Finance Minister K Sankaranarayanan said police reacted only when the marches by students, agitating against the UDF (United democratic Front) government's "education policy and recent fees hike", turned violent and police themselves came under attack.

Students were chased away by police when they tried to enter the Deputy Director of Education office at Kozhikode, he said adding many students suffered injuries in the scuffle between police in many places.

Referring to the handcuffing incident, the Minister said city police commissioner had been asked to inquire into the circumstances that led to handcuffing of student leaders.

The government had sought a report from the Commissioner on the issue, he said.

Not satisfied with the Minister's explanation and agitated over justification of the police action, Opposition members led by its leader V S Achuthanandan walked out.

PTI