Malappuram: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the UDF in Perinthalmanna taluk on Tuesday in protest against the attack on IUML constituency office in the town turned violent with sporadic incidents of attacks at various parts. The Municipality office and the car of municipal chairman were attacked by IUML workers. The police used tear gas to disperse protestors. The official vehicle of District Police chief Debesh Kumar Behra was also blocked in Koottilangadi.
Though vehicles mostly kept off the roads, long distance travellers along the Kozhikode-Palakkad National Highway which runs through Perinthalmanna were blocked in several parts by the protesting IUML workers. Tyres were burned at Ramapuram and Koottil-angali towns on the National Highway 213 to block the traffic. The protestors also threatened passengers of vehicles which accidently took the trouble-hit route.
Shops and other establishments remained closed in Perinthalmanna, Ang-adippuram and other major towns in the taluk limit. The situation worsened by Tuesday evening after a reconciliation meeting called by district collector Amit Meena failed to reach a consensus. Media persons from Mathrubhumi News and News 18 who were covering the development were blocked and attacked by the protestors in Morning.
Mathrubhumi News correspondent Muhammed Nowfal was admitted to Malappuram taluk hospital with injuries after he was attacked by the protesting UDF supporters at Angadippuram. The police have booked the unidentified attackers. The police diverted several vehicles from Malappuram and other places to other routes to avoid Perinthalmanna taluk area. Buses en route ot Palakkad from Kozhikode took the Malappuram-Ana-kkayam-Melattur route to avoid Perinthalmanna taluk limits.
