As many as 13 persons were injured in clashes between supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M], Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the district on Wednesday during the State-wide dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The hartal, which saw more violence in the rural areas, was called seeking the resignation of the Chief Minister following fresh revelations in the solar scam.
At Kalleri in Vadakara, seven persons, including a child and a woman, suffered injuries in an attack allegedly spearheaded by the CPI(M). A majority of those injured were IUML workers. Kollamkandi Ajinas, who suffered serious injuries, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
Rural police sources said a verbal duel progressed into violence.
In the Kuttiyadi and Narippatta regions, a quarrel between BJP and CPI(M) workers over the opening of a shop ended up in a street fight. Some six persons were injured.
They were admitted to the government hospitals at Vadakara and Kuttiyadi. U. Rajeesh, member, Narippatta panchayat, also sustained injuries. At Ambalakkulangara, an office of the Congress party was attacked by hartal supporters. Congress leaders alleged CPI (M) involvement.
On Tuesday, an office of the Congress at Kottappally had come under attack. Demanding police action, Congress workers would observe a hartal in Thiruvallur grama panchayat on Thursday.
Hartal supporters attacked a bus operated by the Karnataka Transport Corporation at Kunnamagalam.
No one was injured. The police registered a case against a group of ‘identifiable’ CPI(M) workers.
Hartal was almost peaceful in the city limits and commercial establishments remained closed till 6 p.m. Attendance at government offices was low. KSRTC and private buses kept off the road.
The emergency services operated by the city police were the sole relief to passengers who were stranded at the Kozhikode railway station.
