Stern measures to stem violence sought

By Our Staff Reporter

KANHANGAD, JUNE 8. The UDF delegation headed by the UDF convener, Mr. Oommen Chandy, and the KPCC president, Mr. K. Muraleedharan, has urged the State Government to take stern measures not only against the culprits who unleashed a reign of terror in Padanna and nearby areas here but to ensure that such incidents do not recur.

The delegation visited the violence-hit areas in Cheruvathur and Padanna panchayats as part of its fact-finding mission in Nadapuram and Kararagod, which witnessed violence and clashes between CPI(M) and IUML workers.

Talking to reporters here, Mr. Chandy said the pattern of attacks by CPI(M) cadres on properties owned by IUML supporters and sympathisers in Padanna and Cheruvathur areas as well as Nadapuram made it abundantly clear that the incidents of violence were not spontaneous eruption of passion but part of a calculated plan to disrupt law and order in the area. Many houses having only women as inhabitants had been vandalised and looted, he said adding that it was astonishing to see that such things could happen in the State.

Stating that the delegation would submit its report on Nadapuram and Padanna incidents to the UDF liaison committee at its next meeting on June 13, Mr. Chandy said the Government would be urged to take strong actions against the trouble-makers who had left a trail of destruction in the violence-torn areas.

Mr. Muraleedharan said that incidents in Padanna and Nadapuram bore similarities as both were apparently part of a scheme to disrupt peace with a bid to portray the new UDF Government in a poor light. Stating that the UDF favoured the police being given a free hand to maintain law and order, he said a section of the police was not seen to be impartial during the recent trouble.

The delegation earlier visited Cheruvathur, Madakkara, Padanna, Vadakkepuram, Thekkekad, Edachakai and Kalikadavu. The MLAs, Mr. E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Mr. Mamman Mathai, Mr. Umesh Chayil, Mr. Shibu Baby John and Mr. C.T. Ahmed Ali, also formed part of the delegation.

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Section  : Southern States
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