A statement from Kerala Raj Bhavan said the Union Home Ministry has informed them that Z+ security cover of CRPF is being extended to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Kerala Raj Bhavan. This announcement comes right after the Governor’s calvacade came across a protest in Nilamel, Kollam.

Earlier in the day, videos went viral that showed that Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan stepping out of his vehicle and stationing himself in front of a wayside shop, urging for the arrest of SFI activists who had protested against him in Nilamel.

He took a chair from the shop and seated himself on the bustling MC Road, vociferously demanding action against the demonstrators.

Visibly agitated, Khan was captured on TV channels reprimanding police personnel. Alongside law enforcement, his officials and local residents congregated in significant numbers at the scene.

The governor has also accused Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of promoting lawlessness in the state.

“It is the chief minister of the state who is promoting lawlessness in the state. He is giving direction to the police to give protection to these lawbreakers. Many of them are those against whom several criminal cases are pending in the court. It is he who is giving protection to these people…Police have booked 17 people. Although I saw that more than 50 people were there…,” he said.

The governor, who is at loggerheads with the state government since his appointment in 2019, was heard asking his staff to dial Home Minster Amit Shah or Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office to let them know about the security situation.

Taking a dig at Mr Khan’s wayside protest, Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty wrote: “Lime soda is the best way to beat heat on the road.”