Ambulance set ablaze amid SDPI-CPM clash in Nedumangad, cases registered

Thiruvananthapuram: An ambulance was set on fire, while another was damaged at Nedumangad on Monday in a suspected clash between workers of SDPI and the CPM. The Nedumangad police said that tensions erupted following the alleged attack on a local CPM leader, Deepu, by SDPI activists at Azhicode near Aruvikkara on Sunday at 8 pm. Following this clash, unidentified persons allegedly targeted the houses of SDPI workers.

According to Aruvikkara police, masked individuals were seen damaging an ambulance, a car and a scooter parked in front of the house of SDPI activist Samad in Nedumangad at around 11.30 pm. In a suspected retaliatory move, an ambulance operated by the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPM, parked near a government hospital in Nedumangad, was set on fire early Monday morning.

Aruvikkara Police have registered a case against SDPI activists for assaulting Deepu. A probe is underway to ascertain whether the attacks were a fallout of the earlier clash and to identify those involved. 

The Nedumangad Police have registered separate cases following complaints by the CPM and SDPI activists about damage to vehicles. Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil visited the area and examined the charred ambulance. Later, both CPM and SDPI took out protest marches in Nedumangad.

However, police registered a case against SDPI activists for carrying out the protest march at Valikkodu junction in Nedumangad, allegedly holding sticks and iron rods, an officer said. Patrolling activities have been strengthened to prevent any further clashes in the area, police added.
(With PTI inputs)