Miscreants damaged the property of Ramavilasam Vocational Higher Secondary School, Valakam, near here during Sunday night. Though the police termed the attack as the handiwork of anti-socials, the word spread that the school, managed by Kerala Congress (B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai, was ransacked by supporters of Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. The miscreants damaged the notice boards placed near the school auditorium as well as window panes. Anchal police have registered a case based on the complaint from the school authorities. Police said that estimated loss to property was to the tune of Rs 3,000.
Tension between the two rival factions of the Kerala Congress (B) had mounted the other day in connection with the arrest of an official faction leader. Pillai had staged a sit-in-protest before the Pathanapuram police station seeking the release of the activist and supporters of both factions had come close to blows on Sunday.
Reacting to the incident, Balakrishna Pillai said that goons employed by Ganesh supporters might have been behind the attack. The hand of Additional Private Secretary of the Minister Pradeep Kumar should obviously be suspected, he said.