KOLLAM: The police threw a lathi at a motorist when he failed to stop his bike during a vehicle inspection at Kadakkal. An accident happened after the bike losing control struck a vehicle carrying Ayyappa devotees.

The youth identified as Siddique sustained serious injuries and has been admitted at the medical college hospital. In protest against the action of the police, the locals besieged Paripally-Madathara Road. A tense situation is prevailing at the Kanjirathumoodu area. Civil police officer Chandramohan who threw the lathi has been suspended.

The incident took place shortly after the high court's direction not to chase anyone without helmets. Modern and scientific systems should be used to detect traffic violations. The high court had directed to follow strictly the circular released by the DGP on it.