Amidst protest from various organizations, police on Sunday arrested a group of men and women who had gathered to participate in the ‘kiss of love’, a public protest against moral policing.

Police arrested them citing law and order issue, but the arrested youths locked themselves in kisses inside the police vehicle while being taken to the station.

According to police, the organisers tried to take out a march from Ernakulam Law college to the venue, but were prevented from doing so. About 50 persons were taken into custody. Holding placards and raising slogans against moral policing, the protestors were bundled into a police van.

Thousands of people had thronged the Marine Drive off Kochi backwaters mainly to witness the protest. But the activists of the ABVP and Yuva Morcha took procession to the marine drive in protest against the event. Congress student outfit Kerala Students Union also had protested after taking a march blindfolded.

Hence, the proponents of the ‘kiss of love’ could not enter into marine drive. However, they gathered near a college ground, from where they were arrested and removed by the city police.

Police had earlier warned that they would take stern action against the agitators mainly on the law and order ground.

The ‘Kiss of love’ was organised in protest against the recent BJP attack on a hotel in Kozhikode, alleging immoral activity by customers.

(With PTI inputs)