Around 15 houses and a number of vehicles were destroyed in political clashes in the rural areas of Vadakara over the past three days.
Despite the District Collector issuing prohibitory orders three days ago, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were found involved in the clashes that broke out after the declaration of Assembly election results.
Cases against 50 workers
Police officers said cases were registered against nearly 50 workers, belonging to both the CPI(M) and the BJP, in connection with the attacks. “Investigation is also on into a number of other incidents in which the workers of various political parties suffered injuries following crude bomb explosion and street scuffles,” they said. Political parties have started visiting the houses of victims in various parts of the district. Thiruvallur, Kuttiyadi, Onchiyam, Nadapuram, Vadakara, Koyilandy and Perambra have the highest number of houses targeted by the attackers.
Causes
Though the victory of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidates was initially suspected to be the main trigger behind the incidents, police officers said the long pending rivalry between local party workers was also instrumental in causing clashes.
Heavy police deployment has been made in all politically sensitive areas within Kozhikode rural police district. Bomb squads have also been alerted to conduct searches in rural areas to prevent crude bomb explosions.
