Minor clashes during Kerala polls

State witnessed violence-free polls with no major case being reported till late in the night. No major clashes or booth capturing incidents were reported from Kannur also, a district known for election related violence. State police registered more than 40 cases and arrested 50 people in connection with the polls on Monday.

In Kannur, police seized eight country bombs from an abandoned house, which was kept in a bucket. CPM branch secretary Shiju was arrested at Vattayara Iritty for allegedly trying to cast fake votes. One person each was detained at Kathiroor and Panoor for the same offense. Central forces were brought in at health sub centre booth in Parathode in Thiruvambady after minor clashes between UDF and LDF workers were reported.

In Kannookkara, near Vadakara, IUML and SDPI clashed, but the timely intervention of police prevented any untoward incidents. There were reports of spotting Maoist cadres in the hilly regions of Kuttiady constituency. However police is yet to confirm the reports. In Chemmarathur, a female booth agent of UDF, Sathi Divya Nilayam, complained that she was attacked while preventing fake votes. In Kuttiadi UDF booth agent Muyyott Arubn has been admitted at government hospital after CPM candidate KK Lathika's goons allegedly attacked him.

A minor tension was reported at Vazhamuttom near Kovalam between the UDF and LDF over putting up flex boards of candidates. Karunagappally Police arrested seven persons who demanded justice for Dalit woman who was murdered at Perumbavoor. The protesters had wrapped their mouths with black cloths and held placards demanding justice.

The police charged them for violating the prohibition of public meetings during the forty-eight hours of polls. "The protesters tried to create problem on the very day of polls and the police is inquiring into any organisation that backed them. They have been charged with section 126 of the representation of people Act," Karunagappally SI G. Gopakumar said.

A few personnel of the Central Action Force were summoned around noon to the Madrasathul Mujahideen Oriental High School at Mattancherry after police sensed trouble following altercation between two groups. However, no untoward incident took place. The polling in this booth progressed slowly.

Thirssur and Palakkad districts witnessed a peaceful election process. Activists of CPM and UDF clashed at Udumbanchola after UDF alleged that LDF candidate M M Mony tried to bring fake voters from Tamil Nadu. UDF filed a complaint against Mony.