Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday said ‘unnecessary’ controversies and agitations have hampered development of the state and stressed the need to utilise the energy of the youth to take Kerala forward.

“Unnecessary agitations and controversies are posing an obstruction for development. It is time to utilise the skills of youth,” he said while delivering the 67th Independence Day address at the central stadium. Chandy unfurled the national flag and took the salute at an impressive parade of various contingents of armed forces, police and student cadets at the state-level celebrations.

The Chief Minister, without making a direct reference to the recent secretariat siege of CPI-M led LDF Opposition over the solar scam, said everyone should introspect on whether the state has achieved anything through these ‘unnecessary’ agitations and strikes.

He announced that government would provide ‘Start up’ kits to students from Class VIII to XII to encourage them to learn Information Technology. A model residential school would be started for tribal students at Attappadi in Palakkad district, he said.

Chandy also gave away the President’s police medals and medals for meritorious service. Later, 500-odd students from various schools in Thiruvananthapuram sang patriotic songs.