MALAPPURAM: People in several parts of the district went on a rampage on Monday after a social media call for shutdown in the name of justice for Kathua gang-rape victim. Life came to a near halt across the district as thousands of protesters took to the streets blocking vehicles, burning tyres, forcing shops to shut and attacking buses. Agitators clashed with police in many places. The bandh turned violent in Tanur after protestors started pelting stones at the police.
Following an unprecedented law and order situation, the district police chief Debesh Kumar Behera imposed prohibitory orders as per Police Act in Tirur, Tanur and Parappanangadi police station limits which constitute major parts of the coastal Malappuram.
The order came according to the Special Branch report on possible clashes. “Protest marches, public rallies and spreading communally sensitive messages or videos through social media platforms have been banned in these areas for the next seven days,” the order states. The agitators attacked three KSRTC buses in Tanur and passengers were forced out. Several shops were also forced to shut and some attacked.
Eleven police officers have been injured in clashes in Tanur alone. Police also used tear gas to disperse a violent mob in Tanur. Some 150 persons have been taken into custody in connection with untoward incidents in several places. While the major political parties kept a distance from the rampant protests, local clubs and groups took to the centre stage. The bandh also witnessed hundreds of angry youth marches in towns without banners of any party. The CPM district committee termed it as an attempt to create a communal divide. The Indian Union Muslim League also distanced itself from the bandh. Meanwhile, the SDPI came out in support of the protestors.
