Tension gripped the city on Sunday as the murder of a RSS worker in Sreekaryam kept the police on tenterhooks and threatened to worsen the law and order situation.
The procession that accompanied the body of the deceased was marked by several untoward incidents during which BJP and RSS activists targeted left-leaning parties and organisations.
On their way to the Shanthi Kavadam as part of the procession, the activists allegedly hurled stones at the University College, University Students’ Centre and the Kerala NGO Union office at PMG junction. The situation threatened to spiral out of control after some people retaliated from within the University College and pelted stones at the activists.
A motorcycle, reportedly belonging to a BJP worker, was set ablaze by a group of people, allegedly Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists. The incident was soon brought under control by a large police posse that accompanied the procession. At the same time, a policeman sustained injuries while the agitators hurled stones at PMG junction.
BJP activists also made an alleged attempt to vandalise the CPI (M) district committee office at Mettukada, but their attempt was thwarted by the police.
Flex boards, flag poles and other items that were set up by the CPI (M), CPI and left-leaning organisations were also destroyed by members of the procession at several points. With the police ensuring restraint, the situation remained under control to a large extent. Vehicular flow along the Ulloor-Sreekaryam route remained affected for a long period.
The possibility of further retaliatory attacks has prompted the city police commissioner G. Sparjan Kumar to extend the enforcement of the prevailing prohibitory orders by another three days until August 2, during which protest marches and meetings will not be permitted.
Having obtained information regarding provocative messages being shared on social media, the police have commenced monitoring of various online platforms and have warned of initiating legal measures against those spreading rumours. The Cyber Cell has reportedly placed a few people under surveillance on the basis of the information.
Ensuring adequate reinforcements, the city police have adopted steps to ensure the presence of nearly 600 police personnel in various parts of the city at all times. Besides stationing units near the offices of political parties and residences of prominent leaders, patrolling will also be intensified to prevent incidents similar to that what had taken place in Sreekaryam during the late hours.
As part of reviving the anti-goonda drive, the police are gearing up to apprehend notorious goons and place them under preventive arrests based on instructions issued by the State Police Chief Loknath Behera.
Meanwhile, minor clashes between CPI (M) and BJP activists were reported from other parts of the district including Peyad. The areas that came under the Neyyattinkara and Kattakada police circles remained under tight security with prohibitory orders in place.
