KOZHIKODE: District Collector P B Salim on Tuesday clamped a ban under Section 144 of the CrPC on areas coming within the Nadapuram police station limits as the law and order situation worsened following clashes between IUML and CPM workers.
The situation took a turn for the worse after a furniture shop, a bakery, footwear shop and a super market at Kallachi owned by IUML sympathisers were attacked in the afternoon. The police had to chase away the mobs which gathered at various spots at Kallachi.
Things were for a while under control after Monday’s violent incidents in which police and IUML workers suffered injuries.
But the protest rally taken out by the IUML on Tuesday evening against the arrest of a Muslim Youth League worker turned violent, forcing the police to resort to lathicharge. Bombs were hurled at various spots, but no one was injured.
In the clashes, workers of the CPM suffered injuries and its office came under attack. Both the IUML and the CPM had called for a hartal in Kallachi on Tuesday.
The police conducted raids on several houses to nab those involved in the violent incident. A heavy police posse led by SP (Rural) George Varghese is camping in the area. ADGP (North) Mahesh Kumar Singla also visited Kallachi.
A peace meeting held at Nadapuram was attended by representatives of all political parties, besides police and Revenue Officials.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Benoy Viswom, who represents Nadapuram in the Assembly, called upon the public not to allow anyone to disturb the peace in the area.
“A peaceful atmosphere has been regained in Nadapuram after much toil and this should be preserved at all costs,” he said.