Post-poll violence breaks out in Kerala; 2 killed by CPI(M) workers, clashes in Kayamkulam

Though the voting day passed off peacefully in Kerala, instances of sporadic political violence in parts of the state were reported soon after. Two UDF workers were killed in Kannur and Kayamkulam districts while several were injured in Kayamkulam and Piravom areas.

In a clash after the elections between Indian Union Muslim League and CPI(M) workers in Koothuparamba constituency in Kannur district, a 22-year-old Youth League member Mansoor was severely injured. He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning.

IUML leaders have alleged that CPI(M) workers were behind the brutal killing of the IUML worker.

It has been reported that a group of CPI(M) workers hurled country-made bombs at Mansoor and his brother before attacking both of them with weapons. The clash broke out in Paral area late on Tuesday over allegations of bogus voting, said the police.

Mansoor was rushed to a private hospital in Kozhikode where he succumbed to his injuries, the police said. Mansoor's brother Muhasin, a UDF poll agent, was also injured in the clash.

Mansoor’s body will be taken to Koothuparamba on Wednesday after postmortem at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

The police have arrested a CPI(M) activist named Shinos, who was also Mansoor’s neighbour, for the murder. Eleven persons have been identified as part of the gang that attacked Mansoor and his brother.

In another incident, a woman suffered hearing impairment due to the sound of a bomb explosion and was admitted to the Thalassery District Hospital.

To protest the attack, the UDF has announced a hartal in Koothuparamba Assembly constituency.

Clashes broke out between CPI(M) and Congress workers in Harippad and Kayamkulam after polling hours on Tuesday. A Congress worker, Afzal, was hacked to death during the clash in Kayamkulam. Congress mandalam president Rajesh Kuttan and another party worker named Naufal were injured in the clashes. Kuttan has been admitted to Kayamkulam Taluk Hospital.

Congress workers alleged that its members were attacked by DYFI activists.

Another clash between UDF and LDF workers was reported at Kizhumuri in Ramamangalam. UDF leaders alleged that their polling agent Shajan Kalasagar, 45, was beaten up. Shajan is undergoing treatment at the Piravom taluk hospital.

UDF workers later staged a protest at Ramamangalam police station demanding the arrest of the culprits. However, CPI(M) local secretary Sumit Surendran claimed that it was Congress functionaries who attacked its workers.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala condemned the attacks and stated that CPI(M) had launched these widespread attacks due to the fear of defeat. “Fear and frustration of losing power is evident in these attacks. Instead of protecting the killers from the law, the CPI(M) and LDF government should ensure strict punishment for the killers,” said Chennithala.