Waqf Bill: Police use force to remove protesters

Kozhikode: Police resorted to lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons on Wednesday to disperse the protesters belonging to Solidarity Youth Movement and SIO who tried to block the road leading to Karipur airport to protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act. Police blocked thousands of protesters, who took out a march from Kolathur, at the airport junction just 300m away from the airport.
Police resorted to lathicharge when protesters tried to move the barricades, cross the median and block the other side of the two-way road. This did not deter them and then police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Police arrested and removed protesters staged a sit-in on the road.
Solidarity state president Thoufeek Mampad, SIO state president Abdul Wahid were among those arrested. Eight protesters were injured in police action. Police had mobilized 450 personnel to block the protesters. Police had issued an order saying that the protest was illegal and that the airport blockade stir could affect operations at the airport. They also added that vehicles used to transport protesters will be seized.
Malik M Khan, a member of All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and national vice president of Jamaat-e-Islami, inaugurated the blockade.