From the Archives: Armed attack by Marxists

About 200 Marxist-led agricultural workers are reported to have attacked the office of a big landlord in Kuttanad (Alleppey District) to-day [November 25]. According to the report the attackers were armed with lethal weapons like daggers, knives, lathis, sticks and country-made guns. It is stated that the workers went in two country boats to Chitrapuram lake, an area belonging to Mr. Murickan, the landlord. They entered his office, damaged some articles there and also threw paddy, crude oil, etc. into the nearby lake. A son of Mr. Murickan who was in the office at that time managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby church. The workers were reported to have pelted stones at the church also. Soon after, when Mr. Murickan came to the scene with his men, the Marxists ran away, and while retreating fired three rounds in the air.