Temple under attack following CPM – Muslim League clashes

Violence continues; prohibitory orders in Kanhangad
Daily Pioneer – Kasaragod

The authorities on Tuesday imposed prohibitory orders in Kanhangad town and its surrounding areas of Kerala’s northernmost Kasaragod district as violence between two groups spread through the area. The police reportedly took into custody over 300 people from the district even as several houses and vehicles were destroyed by violent groups.

Rapid Action Force personnel had to be deployed by Tuesday afternoon as there was no letup in violence which had started on Sunday when some houses came under attack following tension during a programme of the Muslim League. Violence between Muslim League and CPI(M) activists was reignited on Monday night after an autorikshaw was set ablaze.

The Autorikshaw Drivers’ Union held a strike on Tuesday to protest against the attack. At the same time, the Congress-led UDF, of which Muslim League was a constituent, observed a hartal in the Kanhangad Municipal limits and Ajanoor Panchayat. The authorities declared Wednesday a holiday for educational institutions in Kanhangad.

Police said prohibitory orders had been imposed in Kanhangad, Bekal and Ambalathara police station limits which witnessed widespread retaliatory attacks by activists from both sides since Tuesday morning. Many houses, vehicles and shops were set on fire by arsonists in the localities, including Muriyanava.

A temple and a mosque also came under attack. A heavy police posse, which included women personnel, headed by Superintendent of Police Sreesukan was camping in the localities hit by violence, the police said. But this was yet to yield any result.

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