40 houses stoned, several hurt as CPM, IUML workers clash

KANHANGAD: At least 40 houses were stoned, a CPM activist assaulted with iron rods and three women of a family attacked following clashes between IUML and CPM activists at Balla beach near here on Monday night.

Police wielded lathis and lobbed grenades to disperse the rioters after 9.30 pm on Monday. The mob which melted away regrouped in the interior areas and stoned the houses, breaking the window panes.

The trouble started when the IUML activists waylaid an autorickshaw near Balla beach and assaulted Sreejesh, 25, a CPM activist. The assailants smashed his legs and hands with iron rods. He has been admitted to a private hospital with multiple injuries.

The CPM activists took out a protest march in the town forcing the shops to down their shutters. A business centre, which was late in shutting down, was stoned by the assailants, breaking the front glasses of the shop.

The enraged CPM activists then marched to the Balla beach where they clashed with IUML men. Police who reached the scene resorted to lathicharge.

As the mob refused to disperse, the police lobbed grenades to clear the area. Three women Kunhipathu, 73, mother of IUML leader M P Kaffar, IUML sympathisers Ummachu, 50 and Khadeeja, 46, have been admitted to a private hospital here.

The police have arrested four IUML workers for assaulting Sreejesh.

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