The police have imposed prohibitory orders for five days in Vadakara and Perambra police station limits in view of the continuing political violence after Thursday’s hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti. The order was issued by District Police Chief (Vadakara Rural) G. Jaidev under Sections 78 and 79 of the Kerala Police Act.
All public protests, meetings and demonstrations have been banned, along with the use of weapons or substances that can cause violence. The police are also planning to convene an all-party meeting to discuss peacekeeping measures.
So far, around 20 persons have been arrested in connection with instances of hartal-related violence in the rural police station limits. The police said action was under way as part of the State-wide special drive to nab those who vandalised public property and spearheaded attacks on hartal day.
Tension began in Vadakara region on Thursday night when unidentified persons set on fire a tourist van owned by a local BJP leader. BJP leaders alleged that the attack was spearheaded by a group of local CP(M) workers. Earlier, an office of fish workers owing allegiance to the CPI(M) was vandalised allegedly by BJP activists at Azhiyoor near Vadakara.
The police said three persons, including BJP leaders who were accused of unleashing violence against CPI(M) activists during their protest against the entry of two women into Sabarimala temple, had already been arrested in Vadakara. A search was on to net BJP workers who vandalised public property in Perambra during the hartal, they said.
In the Koyilandy police station limits too, police patrolling has been intensified following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. On Thursday night, suspected BJP workers destroyed the motorbike of Koyilandy municipal chairman K. Sathian. The vehicle was attacked when Mr. Sathian, a CPI (M) leader, visited another local leader of the party. No one has been arrested.
