Published Nov 12, 2026 | 7:43 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2026 | 7:43 AM
Valarmathi was taken into custody and moved to a hospital
Thiruvananthapuram police dismantled the protest tent of LPST (Lower Primary School Teacher) rank holders in front of the Secretariat late on Wednesday night, forcibly removing activist Valarmathi, who was on a hunger strike.
A large police contingent reached the protest site after doctors arrived to examine Valarmathi’s health condition. She was subsequently taken into custody and moved to a hospital.
Soon after her removal, the police cleared the protest site and dismantled the tent within minutes.
Although police had earlier issued a warning and served notice to remove the tent, the protesters refused to vacate the site.
Their attempts to resist the eviction proved unsuccessful as the police moved in to clear the area.
Banners, flex boards and other materials at the protest venue were removed and loaded onto a lorry. A signboard carrying the message, “V.D. Satheesan, who failed to keep his word,” was also taken down.
Only a few protesters were present when the police action took place.
The rank holders, however, maintained that the agitation would continue despite the removal of the tent. They said they would not withdraw from the protest until the government addressed their demands.
The aspirants are primarily demanding the implementation of a 1:25 teacher-student ratio in lower primary schools.
The government has maintained that it cannot accept the demand in its present form.
The protest had intensified after the government sought 45 days to examine the issue.
Alleging that no concrete action followed, the rank holders resumed their agitation.
Valarmathi, who figured on the LPST rank list after appearing for the examination three times, had tonsured her head before launching an indefinite hunger strike as part of the intensified protest.
The police had earlier registered a case against her in connection with the agitation and issued notice for clearing the protest site.
Meanwhile, the DYFI has criticised the police action.
The protesters reiterated that dismantling their tent would not bring an end to the agitation, asserting that they would continue their struggle even without a protest shelter.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
