KOZHIKODE: Widespread violence has again erupted in Vadakara- Orkkatteri region between CPM and RMPI workers after a brief spell of calm. The CPM men attacked RMPI workers and their houses triggering retaliation. Houses, vehicles and shops belonging to RMPI supporters were destroyed and nearly 10 people are in police custody. The violence started on Sunday after autorickshaw driver and RMPI worker Vipinlal was attacked at Elangoli. Six RMPI workers and one CPM man were injured and admitted to different hospitals on Sunday. Orkkatteri local secretary K.K. Jayan, Onchiyam area committee member Peruvatti Kuni Gopalan, Nikhil, Kuniyil Geetha and O.K. Chandran were injured in clashes at RMPI Orkkatteri local committee office.
RMPI men attacked Pokkanchery Anil at his house. Some JD(U) workers who visited the RMPI men at the district hospital were also attacked. A dawn-to-dusk hartal was observed by RMPI in Eramala panchayat on Monday. In the violence that continued in the wee hours of Monday, the houses of RMPI Onchiyam area secretary Kulangara Chandran and Oolalunkal local secretary T.K. Sibi were attacked. Chandran’s brother Gopalan and neighbour Asokan were injured. The victims said that nearly 15 people who came on bikes attacked the houses. An unexploded steel bomb was recovered from the premises of Chandran’s house. A car parked at the courtyard of Kaniyantavida Dasan was destroyed.
A car and a bike parked in front of the house of Revolutionary Youth president Nikhil Chandran was torched. The fire force team that arrived to douse the fire was also stopped. The items stocked in the fancy shops of RMPI worker Radhakrishnan were destroyed after the store was broken open. RMPI state secretary N. Venu, who reached the office after it was destroyed was blocked by nearly 50 CPM workers. Venu was later shifted to Payyoli police station, allegedly under preventive custody. Nearly 16 other workers were also taken into custody.
A strong police force under Vadakara DySP T.P. Premarajan has been deployed in the area to prevent further violence. Rural police chief M.K. Pushkaran visited the area.
