THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though curiosity dominates discussions on social media on whether the state capital was going the Kannur way in political violence, Sreekariyam, where the RSS worker was hacked to death, has traditionally been a hotbed of skirmishes - political and apolitical. Youths, under the influence of intoxicants often create brawls here and nearby locations of Powdikonam, Chempazhanthy, Chanthavila and Kattaikonam. As politicians gang up behind individuals, the spats get political colour. Destruction of flagpoles often creates quarrels prompting police to remove them all.
Minor skirmishes were reported here following MG College violence in the capital last week. The areas of Kazhakkoottam Legislative Assembly segment had been a traditional left bastion. However, BJP has been attempting to make steady inroads. In 2015, Edavacode, where Rajesh hails from, had reported country bomb hurling at houses. In March 2016, ahead of assembly elections, a massive fight between CPM and BJP erupted at nearby Kattaikonam leaving some 50 people injured. In the subsequent days, prohibitory orders were clamped here. “Most of the workers injured during Kattaikonam fights belonged to the BJP hailing from Powdikonam or Sreekariyam areas. These are the areas where both political parties take an aggressive posture against each other’s expansion,” said a special branch sleuth.
