Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday took his running battle with the Left government literally to the streets by staging a sit-in in Kollam following a black-flag protest by CPM colts.

While the governor alleged that the protesting SFI activists had banged his car, the organisation’s state secretary, P.M. Arsho, called it a “lie” and said they were nowhere near the motorcade.

Video clips played by television channels and news agencies show the governor stepping off his official car at Nilamel in Kollam and charging at the protesters shouting “hatt, hatt” even as his personal security detail and local policemen shielded him.

The protesters continued to shout “go back” as Khan walked up to them, pointing fingers.

While the police moved the protesters away, Khan began a sit-in on a chair sourced from a nearby shop and demanded immediate action against the protesters.

A visibly angry Khan was seen shouting at the police officers, accusing them of being party to the protest. He was seen directing his personal staff to connect him to either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or home minister Amit Shah to brief them about the situation.

He sat for more than half an hour until the local police provided a copy of the FIR with the names of 17 protesting SFI cadres.

Khan accused chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of engineering the protest by sending his “daily wagers”. “They (the SFI cadres) are daily wagers of the chief minister. So it is the chief minister who is responsible,” he told reporters.

The governor alleged that the SFI cadres banged on his car, which was why he stepped out and walked towards them. However, the available video footage did not support that claim.

“It is the chief minister who is promoting lawlessness in the state. It is he who is giving direction to the police to give protection to these law-breakers, against whom a number of criminal cases are pending in the courts,” Khan alleged.

His latest allegation contradicted his own admission a month ago when he declined police protection to take a stroll at the busy SM Street market in Kozhikode. He had then said “Kerala has the best police force” and lauded the people for “loving” him.

Raj Bhavan later tweeted that the governor would henceforth have Z-Plus security cover by the CRPF.

Arsho denied the governor’s allegation and said the SFI cadres were nowhere near his car.

“The governor is lying. The (protesting) students didn’t go anywhere near his car,” Arsho, who was not part of the protest, told reporters, referring to video footage.

“He had recently called the protesters monkeys. He calls them criminals and goondas,” he said.

Asked about Khan’s sit-in, Vijayan told reporters: “What needs to be understood is that the law is supreme and above any position of power. Whoever is in positions of power should display sufficient maturity and wisdom.”