Kozhikode: Opposition members staged a sit-in protest at the Chathamangalam grama panchayat office on Wednesday, refusing to let officials close the office late into the night. The protest erupted after a board meeting over a decision to shift the location of a proposed low mast light funded through the MP fund.

Eight opposition members sat in the corridor of the panchayat office, blocking officials from closing it for the day. Some staff members remained inside, waiting for the standoff to end. The protest was called off around 8.00 pm after a discussion with the panchayat secretary.

“For now, we have suspended the protest following talks with the secretary. He assured us that the issue will be discussed again at 10 am tomorrow. If no positive decision comes out, we will resume the protest,” opposition member Moidu Peedikakkandy told Onmanorama.

The Chathamangalam panchayat has been sanctioned ten low mast lights under the MP fund of Kozhikode MP M K Raghavan. On Wednesday, the board meeting finalised their locations. However, the ruling front’s decision to shift one light’s location triggered the opposition’s agitation.

“As per the earlier list, one light was to be installed in front of the Arayancode Juma Masjid in Ward 11, represented by the panchayat president. Residents had requested the light, and the site was included accordingly. But during the meeting, he insisted on shifting it about 100 metres away. We cannot agree to that — this is clearly political,” Peedikakkandy alleged.

Police personnel from the Kunnamangalam station arrived at the scene following reports of the standoff.