Around 10 persons were injured after the police allegedly lathi-charged local people protesting against the draft master plan near Kattayikonam on Wednesday evening. Among the injured, the condition of a 14-year-old-girl, Vineetha of Vavarakonam, was said to be serious with injuries in her jaw and on her head. Of the injured, five were women.
All those who were injured were rushed to the Medical College Hospital and some among them were later shifted to Taluk Hospital at Kanyakulangara, while the others were discharged and taken home.
A 33-year-old youth, Rajesh, was another person who was severely injured. “My head and shoulder were injured in the lathi-charge. I intervened only when the police started beating some women. They hit me on my head and shoulder,” he said.
“I have ten stitches on my head. Scanning and x-ray of the head were taken and the doctors advised me to come after ten days. I am the lone bread-winner of my family and now what am I supposed to do?” he asked.
Chandrika, 51, was also injured in the incident. According to her, she had four stitches on her head. “I was advised by the doctors in the Medical College Hospital to get admitted to Taluk Hospital at Kanyakulangara for continuing my treatment,” she said.
“I was beaten by the police several times. After this incident, I am sure that the strikes and protests will go on till the government declares the cancellation of the master plan,’’ she said.