KOCHI: A man was hacked following a dispute over the Puthuppally by-election. Kunnekkadan Johnson, a native of Kalady Pothiyakkara, suffered a critical head injury. Johnson said that it was CPM Pothiyakkara branch secretary Kunnekkadan Devassy who attacked him. Following the incident, police took Devassy into custody. Johnson has been admitted to a private hospital in Angamaly.

The attack took place at Pothiyakkara today morning. Over the past few days, the region has been witnessing disputes regarding the majority in the Puthuppally election.

Johnson was attacked by a three-member gang who came on a bike. He has a serious head injury. The hospital authorities said that a surgery should be performed within six hours. Johnson is a lorry driver. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.