Mananthavady: Congress workers on Wednesday night detained three CPM workers who allegedly entered a tribal settlement in Tholpetty, under the Thirunelli panchayat, and served liquor to voters. Footage purportedly showing CPM workers distributing liquor inside the settlement went viral on social media. 

Congress workers intercepted the CPM men, alleging that outsiders are not permitted to enter a tribal settlement after 7 pm. A Congress worker told Onmanorama that they had been monitoring the situation and had covertly filmed the CPM workers violating the election code of conduct. “When we blocked their vehicle and informed the police, officers arrived and took three CPM men into custody. But later, a large group of CPM workers reached the spot and forcibly freed them from the police vehicle,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, residents of the settlement turned against the Congress workers and asked them to leave, saying the area was a CPM stronghold and that CPM workers had entered with their permission. Tension escalated as supporters from both sides gathered, prompting additional police force, led by DySP Viswambaran, to rush to the scene. The issue was eventually resolved in a meeting between leaders of both camps in the presence of senior police officers.

DySP Viswambaran told Onmanorama that the matter had been settled amicably and that neither side had filed any complaints. He added that the incident remains only an allegation at this stage.