The State capital has been rocked yet again by another wave of political clashes, this time between the CPI(M) and the BJP in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and on the streets, and between the CPI(M) and the SDPI in the suburbs.
The fresh wave of violent attacks was triggered by the alleged assault on Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.K. Prasanth following the alleged denial of passage of a resolution at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council meet. Even as the parties continued to trade charges over the unprecedented incident, workers of rival parties clashed against each other.
While the attacks on political workers in various parts were initially dismissed as isolated incidents, the vandalizing of the CPI(M) district committee office and the subsequent attack on the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) district office at Karamana late Sunday sparked heightened tension. The rival parties accused each other of violating a ‘peace formula’ agreed upon in the reconciliation talks held recently.
In a fallout of clashes that had erupted in Chavara a few days ago, the CPI(M) also found itself in the midst of a simmering confrontation with the SDPI in various parts of the district, including Kattakada. The houses of CPI(M) workers, including DYFI district secretary I. Saju, and party offices came under attack, resulting in retaliatory clashes between workers of the CPI(M) and SDPI.
Kodiyeri sees plot
CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan accused the BJP-RSS combine and SDPI of hatching a conspiracy to foment tension in the region. Talking to reporters after visiting the CPI(M) district committee office on Monday, Mr. Balakrishnan urged the government to take stern action against those responsible for the incidents.
On the other hand, BJP State president Kummanam Rajasekharan has accused the police of adopting a biased stance towards the ruling party. He alleged that the councillors of the party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation were being victimised and booked under false charges, including attempt to murder. He cautioned that any attempt to arrest the party workers would be met with dire consequences.
Under fire for the alleged lapses on their part, the police have been treading a cautious path, even while assuring fair and impartial policing. State Police Chief Loknath Behera has said that all efforts were on to bring the situation under control and that additional forces would be deployed if the need arose.
