The police have tightened security in the politically and communally sensitive areas in the rural belts of the district. This is in view of the tension prevailing in Kuttiyadi region following the death of a Hindu Aikya Vedi worker, Vellalippil Anoop, 29, of Nittoor in Kuttiyadi grama panchayat.
A mob, reportedly owing allegiance to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M], had thrown stones and crude bombs while he was taking part in a sit-in organised by the Vedi at Naripetta last week demanding implementation of the Gadgil Committee report on Western Ghats.
The police said that clashes had occurred between the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the CPI(M) in some areas of Kuttiyadi during the funeral procession. Several houses had come under attack during the hartal called by the BJP.
Frequent clashes between the CPI(M) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers at Vanimel and Nadapuram have also been reported. Several persons have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
Four persons were injured in clashes between workers on Monday night. Houses of two party activists came under attack.
A martyrs’ column and several flag posts of parties were destroyed.
A high-level meeting of police officers in Kozhikode rural decided to strengthen security and enhance patrolling in the areas coming under sensitive stations. Vehicles would be checked during day and night hours. However, this would not hinder the freedom of movement of individuals or groups.
The police have banned the graffiti of political parties and religious organisations in public places and installation of billboards at Nadapuram, Vanimel and Valayam. The owners have been asked to remove the arches and the hoardings.
An all-party meeting held did not yield any results.
Shops have remained closed for many days following hartals called by different parties and organisations, including that of merchants, following attacks on shops at Vanimel town.
Now local-level vigilance committees have been set up to keep a check on trouble-makers at night.
The police have also introduced patrolling in Vadakara, especially Onchiyam, in view of the Special Additional Sessions Court (Marad cases) fixing January 22 for pronouncing the verdict in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case.
