Widespread violence as CPM, RMPI lock horns

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.