BJP office attacked in Kerala capital

Thiruvananthapuram: Clashes erupted between the BJP and the CPI(M) in the capital as a state committee office of the BJP, residence of CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and several houses of party workers came under attack in the wee hours of today. At least six cars, including that of BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, were damaged by a group of people, allegedly CPI(M) workers, who barged into the state committee office at 0130 hrs. Mr Rajasekharan was in the building during the incident. Police remained as a mute spectator when the CPI(M) activists, under the leadership of a ward councilor, attacked the party office, the BJP said in a statement here.

The party also released a CCTV footage to the media, which shows the seven-member gang unleashing violence. The gang also attacked a civil police officer who tried to note down the number of the motorcycle in which the miscreants came. In an apparent retaliation, unidentified miscreants pelted stones at the city residence of the CPI(M) state secretary. Besides, several houses of both the CPI(M) and the BJP leaders also came under attack last night. Police strengthened the security measures in view of the renewed violence between the party activists.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan strongly condemned the violent incidents. He said the CPI (M) would not support any attack on the offices of any political party. The present violence was triggered by the BJP to divert attention from the medical scam involving BJP leaders. BJP leader O Rajagopal, MLA, alleged that the CPI(M) activists were taking law in their own hands. Police remained as a mute spectator when the CPI(M) unleashed violence in the city. (UNI)