POTHENOCODE: A clash broke out between BJP and CPM workers at Kattaikonam junction in the Kazhakoottam constituency during the election on Tuesday. 4 BJP workers were injured during the clash and CPM workers, including the ward councillor, were injured during the police lathicharge that took place in the evening. 5 CPM workers were arrested in connection with the
incident.

The incidents started at 11.30 am yesterday. The CPM workers got involved in an altercation with the BJP workers after the BJP workers allegedly tried to influence the voters. Following this, the CPM workers attacked the BJP booth office. BJP booth agents Biju Kumar (42), Jyothi (36), Anamika (18), Aswathy (20) and Vijayakumaran (52) were injured.

Later, BJP leaders led by candidate Sobha Surendran reached the spot and demanded action against the culprits. The BJP candidate also staged a sit-in protest while demanding action against the culprits. In discussions with top police officials, it was agreed to reinstate the booth committee and shift the injured to a hospital. The protest ended with the announcement that action would be taken against the culprits and that more troops, including the central forces, would be deployed.

By around 4 pm, a group of 4 men reached Kattaikonam junction and attacked 2 CPM workers before escaping from the region in another car. Soon, CPM workers gathered in the area and demolished the car used by the group. Posters of BJP candidates in Nedumangad and Kazhakoottam constituencies were recovered from the car. When the police tried to shift the car using a recovery van, CPM workers intervened and demanded the police to inspect the car. The CPM workers also alleged that weapons were found inside the car. A police observer later reached the area. During a police lathicharge that followed, several CPM workers, including Kattaikonam ward councillor D Ramesan, Pothencode panchayat member Praveen, Minister Kadakampally Surendran's personal staff member Saju, DYFI area president Surjith and Ajithkumar, got inured. Police raided Ramesan's house in Kattaikonam and nearby houses, creating an atmosphere of terror for hours. The leaders alleged that CPM workers were brutally assaulted by the police.