In a significant development following the local body elections, five workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were arrested on Monday in connection with a violent attack on the residences of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) activists. The incident occurred at Kunnothparamba, near Panoor, in the politically sensitive district of Kannur, Kerala.
Details of the Arrests and Accused
The Kolavallur police took the five individuals into custody after a thorough review of CCTV footage collected from the area. The arrested men have been identified as Amal, Sreeju, Jeevan, Sachin, and Renish. All are residents of Panoor. Following their arrest, they were produced before a local court, which subsequently ordered them to be remanded in judicial custody.
This arrest stems from a series of violent clashes that erupted on Saturday evening in Kunnothparamba and surrounding localities. In response to these clashes, the police had initially registered five separate cases against activists from both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). The investigation remains active, with efforts ongoing to apprehend other suspects who are currently absconding.
A Spate of Post-Election Violence Incidents
The attack on the IUML activists' homes is not an isolated event. Police have registered a new case related to an assault on a Congress party office in Payyannur. In a separate and provocative incident, a Mahatma Gandhi statue was vandalized at Ramanthali in Kannur. Authorities have confirmed that investigations into both these matters are currently underway.
The wave of post-result unrest appears to have spread to the neighbouring district of Kasaragod as well. Police have initiated probes into multiple incidents of violence reported from various parts of that district. One reported case involves firecrackers being thrown into the house of a UDF activist in Bandadka. Another incident saw the Congress party office in Cheruvathur allegedly attacked by CPM activists. According to police reports, the assailants trespassed into the building, waved party flags inside, and burst firecrackers within the office premises.
Ongoing Investigations and Political Climate
The series of incidents highlights the tense political atmosphere in parts of northern Kerala following the announcement of local body election results. Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing all leads and examining evidence to identify and arrest those responsible for the violence. The use of CCTV footage has proven crucial in the initial arrests made in the Panoor case.
The police have emphasized that their investigations are comprehensive and will cover all reported acts of vandalism and assault, irrespective of political affiliations. The community remains on alert as authorities work to prevent further escalation and ensure peace in the region.
