Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Jan 4: District superintendent of police (SP) Thomson Jose has clamped prohibitory orders under Kerala Police Act (sections 78 and 79) following clashes that occured in the district after stones were pelted at a BJP protest rally held on Monday, January 2.
Accordingly, processions, public meetings and protests have been banned for three days. Further action is likely to be taken after reviewing the situation. The action has been taken in view of the clashes that occured between CPI(M) and BJP activists over the past two days in Kasargod and outskirts.
The three-day prohibitory orders came into effect from Wednesday January 4 afternoon.
The district-wide hartal called by BJP on Tuesday against the incidents at Chervathur on Monday had led to violence.
CPI(M) had planned protests and a convention on Wednesday evening against the BJP. The prohibitory orders have been put in place to prevent untoward incidents.
Four cases registered
Kasargod police have registered four cases relating to violent incidents on the day of protests and arrested 16 BJP activists. The cases relate to assault on civil station worker Sajeev, blocking vehicles at Karandakkad, hurling stones on cooperative bank, damage to an NGO's flag, pelting of stones on police and obstruction of official duty. Cases have been registered against nearly 200 people on the basis of complaint by sub-inspector Ajith Kumar.
A case has also been registered in connection with the assault on Mohammed Faizul of Pilikunje and for damaging his bike.
The district is returning to normalcy after the violence. No unpleasant incident was reported after Tuesday night.