The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : UDF stages walkout over Kodungalloor violence

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

UDF stages walkout over Kodungalloor violence

Special Correspondent

Opposition blames police for failing to take timely action

Another DYFI worker attacked
All-party meeting to be held today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sudden escalation in violence in the trouble-torn Kodungalloor area of Thrissur district, which claimed the life of a DYFI activist last week, provided the trigger for a clash between the Treasury and Opposition benches and a walkout by the latter from the House on Monday.

The Opposition placed the entire blame for the violence in the area on the police for failing to crack down on the violent anti-social elements and said both the CPI(M) and BJP were responsible for the violent incidents. Although Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan asserted that the situation in the area was under control now, the Opposition questioned his claim citing the attack on another DYFI activist on Monday morning.

The Home Minister said the police had arrested 9 CPI(M) and 5 BJP workers in connection with the violence and that a broad-based all-party meeting would be held on July 8 to restore normality in the trouble-hit areas. Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran had convened an all-party meeting at Kodungalloor on Saturday where it was agreed that the rival sides would desist from further violent acts, he said.

The government, he said, was determined to put down the violence by all means, but regretted what he termed the attempt by Congress member T.N. Prathapan, who sought leave for an adjournment motion on the subject, to cover up the role of the RSS and BJP in the current series of violent incidents. The DYFI worker Biju’s death was the latest in the series of such incidents. The police would nab those involved in the murder, he added.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said he had visited Biju’s house on Friday and was told by his father that the police investigation into the murder was not satisfactory. Biju’s murder was one of the several incidents that had taken place in the area. Several shops and commercial establishments, buses, petrol pumps and mediapersons were attacked by the rival sides. Contrary to the Home Minister’s claim of normality in the area, there was an attack on Sameer, another DYFI worker, during the early hours on Monday, Mr. Chandy said.

Kerala Congress (M) leader K. M. Mani warned that Kodungalloor was turning into another Kannur and attributed this to the inept handling of the situation by the police.

Speaking after the walkout, the Revenue Minister said the government’s attempt was to restore peace in the area. He called for the Opposition’s cooperation in the government’s efforts in that direction.

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