The stand-off between Youth Congress and CPI(M) activists in Malapattam in Kannur on Wednesday evening.

Tension prevailed in Malapattam in Kannur as clashes broke out between Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Youth Congress workers during a procession taken out by Youth Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil and former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran on Wednesday evening.

The violence erupted when the rally reached the Malapattam town culminating in a confrontation in front of the CPI(M) local committee office.

Following the destruction of the Congress’s Gandhi Stupa here last week, a foot march and a meeting were held on Wednesday.

Despite police intervention, classes occurred near the A. Kunhikannan memorial hall, which houses the CPI(M) office. Leaders from both the political outfits rushed to the scene to pacify their respective workers. The situation remained tense and the police are camping in the area to prevent further violence.

Speaking at the venue, Mr. Mamkootathil accused the CPI(M) workers of launching an unprovoked attack on the peaceful event. “We had all the necessary permissions, yet the CPI(M) workers tried to disrupt the event. Instead of intervening against the attackers, the police asked our workers to disperse,” he said.

He alleged bias in the stance of the Assistant Commissioner of Police. “Why were we asked to leave while the CPI(M) workers continued their attack?” he said.

Condemning the attack, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan termed the clashes in Malapattam an instance of “CPI(M) hooliganism” and accusing the police of siding with the CPI(M) workers who allegedly attacked the Youth Congress rally. Mr. Satheesan accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan of failing to rein in the party cadres.

“The police must not degrade themselves into Red volunteers,” he added, claiming that the law enforcement remained passive while CPI(M) workers acted violently in Mr. Govindan’s home constituency. He also linked the Malapattam incident to earlier attacks, including the alleged vandalism of the Gandhi Stupa and the house of Youth Congress Taliparamba secretary Saneesh Aduvappuram.

Asserting that intimidation would not work, Mr. Satheesan said the Congress would continue its political campaign across the State. “No CPI(M) leader should think they can stop us using criminal gangs,” he said.