BJP calls for hartal in Kottayam tomorrow after attack on panchayat members

Kottayam: BJP will observe a dawn to dusk hartal in Kottayam district on Friday in protest against the alleged attack on its Grama Panchayat members in Kumarakom, party leaders said in Kottayam on Thursday.

BJP district leaders alleged that Kumarakom Grama Panchayat members PK Sethu and Jayakumar were attacked by a 28-member gang headed by CPI(M) local leaders while they were going to the panchayat office this morning.

Though the culprits had covered their face, some of the key persons involved in the attack were active members of the CPI(M), BJP district president NHari alleged.

He demanded constitution of a special team to probe the incident.

The injured BJP leaders have been admitted in a Government Medical College Hospital with serious injuries, they said.

Hari alleged that the attack was planned and executed by CPI(M) leadership in the area.

CPI(M) rejected the allegations, saying they have no role in the incident.