RAMANATHAPURAM
A former AIADMK local office-bearer, Mohamed Kasim, 42, was hacked by rivals at Thirupalaikudi in the district for reportedly mobilising Muslims in support of BJP candidate for Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency Nainar Nagendran when he visited the area on his campaign.
Police said that the incident took place on Tuesday night, when Mr. Nainar Nagendran visited Thirupalaikudi area along with BJP and AIADMK functionaries, canvassing votes.
Enraged that Mr. Kasim was in the forefront and he was mobilising Muslims in support of the BJP candidate, Mohamed Yusuf from the same area attacked him with a knife, inflicting cut injuries on his left forehand. After the incident, senior members of the community intervened and worked out a compromise. Mr. Kasim was admitted to Ramanathapuram District Headquarters Hospital on Thursday. The police took a complaint from him.
Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan, accompanied by senior party leaders, visited the injured party man at the hospital. On learning that Mr. Kasim was admitted to the hospital and had lodged a complaint, the assailant went absconding, the police said.
BJP district president K. Muraleedharan condemned the incident, alleging that this was the second incident in the recent past to foment communal clash and jeopardise the election process. BJP and AIADMK volunteers would maintain calm as the people would give the miscreants a fitting reply in the April 18 elections, he said.
On April 1, an AIADMK functionary suffered head injuries when a man hurled an empty glass bottle at the campaign van of Mr. Nainar Nagendran in the Muslim-dominated Periyapattinam area. The injured party office-bearer was following the campaign van on foot.
Mr. Nainar Nagendran, who was accompanied by Mr. Manikandan and incumbent MP A. Anwhar Raajhaa, escaped unhurt in the attack.
