Kannur (Kerala): The students union election at Kannur University on Wednesday was marred by violent clashes between the ruling CPI(M)-affiliated Student Federation of India (SFI) and the United Democratic Students' Front (UDSF), resulting in injuries to several students and a police officer.

A tense atmosphere prevailed as members of the SFI and UDSF hurled stones and helmets at each other during the election process. The UDSF comprises the Congress-affiliated Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Police had to resort to lathi-charge multiple times to disperse the warring groups.

Kannur Superintendent of Police Nidhinraj P said both student outfits have levelled several allegations against each other, including illegal voting and ballot tampering. Further action will be taken after reviewing the claims.

Despite the clashes, SFI won all general seats, securing the leadership of the university union for the 26th consecutive time. The MSF won two district executive seats.

Tensions escalated when the MSF alleged that an SFI candidate snatched a bag containing a voter certificate and ballot paper of an MSF University Union Council (UUC) member. Police briefly restrained the woman SFI candidate, prompting a large group of SFI activists to clash with the police and free her. A police officer was reportedly injured in the altercation.

SFI State Secretary P.S. Sanjeev said the police acted without evidence and detained the candidate solely on the MSF's allegations. Meanwhile, SFI accused MSF of bringing voters from outside in a bus to engage in illegal voting.

Police presence on campus followed a Kerala High Court directive asking the Vice Chancellor to seek police assistance if needed. The Court had also ordered that the entire election process be videographed, based on a plea from an MSF candidate who alleged that SFI members had threatened and blocked her party's nominees from filing nominations.