Houses and ambulances targeted in CPM-SDPI clash in Nedumangad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political violence rocked Nedumangad and nearby areas on Sunday night after CPM and SDPI workers engaged in pitched street clashes, attacking houses and party-owned ambulances, under the cover of darkness, police said. The episode began at Azhikode by 8 pm when CPM Karakulam branch secretary Deepu was allegedly attacked by SDPI members. CPM and SDPI members have been at each others throats ever since a street fight between the cadre of the two outfits at Kaipadi earlier this month over the construction of a road. A hoarding erected by the SDPI in connection with the incident was set on fire allegedly by CPM members, resulting in a clash between the members of the two parties. The current clashes, which continued till midnight, were a continuation of the Kaipadi incident, ASP Achyuth Ashok said. Following the assault on Deepu, two houses belonging to SDPI members at Kaipadi came under attack allegedly by DYFI-CPM members. The CCTV footage of the incident showed a group of men, their faces covered with masks and helmets, vandalising the houses using iron rods and stones. An ambulance owned by SDPI and two other vehicles parked outside the houses were also targeted. By midnight, a DYFI-owned ambulance parked near the Nedumangad district hospital was set on fire in what appeared to be an act of retaliation. The ambulance was gutted, with the DYFI alleging it to be the handiwork of SDPI. The police have registered three cases under non-bailable sections in connection with the three incidents. One case was registered in Aruvikkara station for the attack on the CPM leader. Two other cases were registered by Nedumangad police. The ASP said the situation has been brought under control as no fresh incident of violence was reported on Monday. The DYFI, CPM and the SDPI took out protest marches in Nedumangad in the evening, which passed off peacefully. As the incidents happened at night and there were no eyewitnesses, there were no named accused, the officer said. We have started collecting CCTV visuals and will launch an investigation to identify the accused, the ASP said. The police have enhanced patrolling and beefed up security in those areas to prevent untoward incidents, he said. On the boil CPM and SDPI members have been locked in a violent clash after a street fight erupted between the cadre of the two outfits at Kaipadi earlier this month over the construction of a road.