Kozhikode

Several parts of Kerala witnessed incidents of violence after the results of the local body elections were declared on December 13, with police reporting unrest mainly in the northern districts of the state.

In Eramala, located in Kozhikode district, tensions ran high through Saturday night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress party office, was allegedly vandalised by workers of the CPI(M). Police said an FIR registered at Edachery police station states that nearly 200 people marched to the office carrying weapons and damaged the premises, resulting in losses estimated at around ₹5 lakh.

During the incident, a statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also reportedly damaged. Following the attack, UDF supporters assembled near the office, leading to further escalation. Police intervened and restored order by deploying additional personnel.

Another incident was reported from Marad, where stones were allegedly thrown at a UDF victory procession, leaving several people injured, according to police.

In Wayanad district’s Sultan Bathery, police registered a case after a vehicle carrying a UDF worker and his family members was allegedly attacked by a group of around 40 CPI(M) activists. In a separate case in the same area, UDF workers were booked for allegedly assaulting a CPI(M) supporter who objected to the bursting of firecrackers near his residence.

Violence was also reported from Panoor in Kannur district, where the houses of several Muslim League workers were allegedly attacked, and parked vehicles damaged. Police said the clashes followed an alleged attempt by CPI(M) workers armed with sharp weapons to block a UDF victory procession, during which some UDF leaders sustained injuries.

At Ulikkal in Kannur district, clashes broke out between UDF and LDF activists, though police intervention prevented the situation from worsening.

In Bedakom, Kasaragod district, an LDF victory rally reportedly turned violent after CPI(M) supporters allegedly confronted UDF workers passing through the area. A few police personnel suffered minor injuries while attempting to control the situation.

Similar clashes were reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, involving CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said minor injuries were reported on both sides, and those injured were hospitalised.

Police officials said cases would be registered once formal complaints are received.

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan alleged that a CPI(M) worker damaged a statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the Ramantali Cultural Centre in Payyannur, Kannur district, breaking its nose and spectacles. He also claimed that the UDF election committee office in ward 44 of Payyannur municipality was vandalised.

According to Satheesan, CCTV footage has surfaced showing a bomb being hurled at the residence of UDF candidate P K Suresh in ward nine of the municipality.

In a statement, Satheesan criticised the alleged vandalism, saying the desecration of Gandhi’s statue in the home district of the chief minister and CPI(M) state secretary reflected an ideology that disrespects the country’s history. He urged the chief minister, who holds the home portfolio, and the state police chief to take firm action against those disturbing public order.

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The opposition leader asserted that the UDF would ensure the protection of its workers and warned of serious consequences if the government failed to curb violence linked to political rivalry.