Ulundurpet, Aug 23 (IANS) The CPI(M) has strongly condemned an alleged attack on four persons, including senior party leaders, near Ulundurpet in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi district, and demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved.
In a statement, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu State Secretary P. Shanmugam said district secretary D.M. Jayashankar, former district secretary D. Ezhumalai, district committee member D.S. Mohan and their car driver were attacked by a group of eight persons on the night of August 21.
The incident occurred after the leaders had completed arrangements for a protest scheduled to be held in Ulundurpet.
According to the party, they had travelled through Kiliyur village and parked their vehicle when the group from Vadamangalam village confronted them. The assailants allegedly abused the leaders and made derogatory remarks against the CPI(M).
They also damaged the party flag and shattered the windows of the car before assaulting the occupants.
The party described the incident as a premeditated and potentially fatal attack.
The CPI(M) alleged that the violence was linked to its campaign over reported irregularities in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Vadamangalam.
It accused a former village panchayat president of collecting money from residents after promising to construct 22 houses under the scheme but failing to complete them. The party had mobilised the affected residents and organised protests demanding justice and the return of their money.
The CPI(M) workers had also been campaigning on several local issues concerning people in the area, the statement said.
According to Shanmugam, the former panchayat president was angered by the party’s intervention. He alleged that an eight-member group, including the former president’s two sons, planned and carried out the attack in retaliation for the CPI(M)’s activities.
A complaint has been lodged with the Kalamarudur police station.
The injured leaders received treatment at a hospital and have since returned home. However, the party expressed concern that police had arrested only one person so far.
The CPI(M) State Executive Committee urged the Tamil Nadu Police to immediately arrest all the accused, including the former panchayat president’s two sons. It also demanded that stringent legal provisions be invoked to ensure appropriate punishment for those responsible for targeting leaders who were campaigning in support of local residents.
–IANS
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