Several houses and shops at Onchiyam, Orkkattery, Eramala and the surrounding areas were attacked on Saturday morning following the murder of Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader T.P. Chandrasekharan. The majority of the houses that were damaged belonged to Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers.
Though a State-wide hartal called by the United Democratic Front (UDF) was peaceful in the city, the rural areas of Vadakara remained tense. A few two-wheelers and cars parked in front of houses were torched in the violence.
In many areas, television cables, phone connections, and electrical connections were destroyed.
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Following Intelligence reports that there was possibility of counter-attacks and political violence, a large number of police personnel were deployed in the Onchiyam, Nadapuram, and Vadakara areas on Saturday.
Senior police officers reviewed the law and order situation and deployed more number of police personnel at Onchiyam and surrounding areas. Vehicle checking and highway patrolling were intensified in the region as part of doubling security measures.
The crime spot at Vallikadu in Vadakara was also brought under tight police surveillance on Saturday. Forensic experts and police officials in charge of the inquiry collected evidence from the spot. The squad also collected the damaged mobile phone and SIM card of Chandrasekharan from the spot for conducting the inquiry with the support of cyber cell.
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Though KSRTC buses ran a few services in the city, private buses kept off the road. Vehicular traffic came to a halt in Vadakara and the surrounding regions. However, emergency services were permitted. Petrol pumps, shops and other commercial establishments remained closed till 6 p.m.
CPI (M) leaders said over 25 houses and three local party offices in the region were damaged in the attack.
CPI(M) leader Elamaram Karim said “biased statements by UDF leaders had provoked anti-CPI (M) activists to unleash violence against our workers and their property.”