IUML office attack: Opposition walks out of Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 (PTI) The opposition Congress-led UDF members today staged a walk-out in the Kerala Assembly today over the recent attack on IUML office in Malappuram district allegedly by

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24 (PTI) The opposition Congress-led UDF members today staged a walk-out in the Kerala Assembly today over the recent attack on IUML office in Malappuram district allegedly by activists of SFI, the student’s wing of the ruling CPI(M).

Opposition members alleged that the police had remained a mute spectator when the office of Indian Union Muslim League, a key partner in UDF, in Perinthalmanna was vandalised on January 22 and no one was arrested in connection with the incident or subsequent violence that occurred in the area.

They also criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the home portfolio, for “not taking action” against the attackers and police personnel who “failed to check” them.

They further alleged that police burst tear gas shells at a protest meeting attended by UDF leaders in Perinthalmanna yesterday.

Though the Chief Minister assured that action as per law would be taken against the guilty and 45 persons had already been taken into custody, the opposition MLAs walked out of the House citing that the ruling party was encouraging its students activists to engage in violence.

Seeking a notice for the adjournment motion over the issue, M Ummer (IUML) said the attack on the party office was the example of “fascism” and “intolerance” by the ruling CPI(M).

He also alleged that the attackers had the ‘patronage’ of the local police.

The Opposition UDF had called a day-long hartal, which turned violent, in Perinthalmanna yesterday in protest against the IUML office attack.

Police said, the disputes, related to the hoisting of the flag of Muslim Students Federation, the students wing of IUML, at the SFI-ruled Government Polytechnic College at Angadipuram in Malappuram had led to the attack of IUML office on January 21.

Before staging the walkout, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the incident was the outcome of the ruling CPI(M)’s attempt to turn the state college campuses as “party villages.”

The core reason for the tension in Malappuram was the resistance by the SFI activists against the MSF activists hoisting their flag at the polytechnic campus, he said.

“Not just CPI(M), but all political parties have the right to function in Kerala,” the Congress leader added.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.