The house of Suresh Keezhattur, leader of the Vayalkilikal, a local group farmers spearheading the agitation of farmers and local residents of Keezhattur here against the proposed National Highway (NH) bypass, came under attack in the early hours of Thursday.
Three window panes of the house were damaged when four unidentified people who came in motorcycles pelted stones at the house.
The incident occurred as the Vayalkilikal and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are on a collision course over the agitation, with the CPI(M) deciding to erect its own ‘pandal’ (temporary shed) to counter the decision of the Vayalkilikal to re-install its ‘samara pandal’ torched by alleged CPI(M) workers on March 14.
The party has been opposed to the agitation.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Keezhattur said the incident of stone-pelting occurred at 1.40 a.m. He said that he, his wife and two children woke up when they heard stones being hurled at the house continuously. No one was injured in the attack.
When he came out he heard motorcycles speeding away, he said. He immediately went to his neighbour’s house where CCTV cameras were installed. CCTV camera footage showed four people in two motorcycles, he said.
“The police have been handed over the CCTV footage and I am confident that the police will identify the motorcycles and the men,” he said adding that it was heinous to attack the houses of people involved in agitations.
Mr. Keezhattur, a former member of the CPI(M), had been with the party till the agitation began. While the party’s district leadership is in support of the proposed bypass, Vayalkilikal stated that the project would wreak havoc on the paddy fields of Keezhattur.
