UDF withdraws Perinthalmanna hartal after police arrest 5 in Muslim League office attack

Malappuram: The UDF on Monday withdrew its dawn-to-dusk hartal in the Perinthalmanna Assembly constituency after police arrested five people in connection with the stone-pelting incident targeting the Muslim League office.

IUML leaders said the decision to call off the hartal was taken in view of the inconvenience caused to the public. The hartal had been announced after stones were hurled at the League office late on Sunday night.

Following the incident, Muslim League workers led by Perinthalmanna MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram blocked roads demanding the arrest of those responsible, alleging that CPM workers were behind the attack. The CPM, however, countered the charge, accusing League workers of first attacking the CPM Perinthalmanna area committee office, and staged a protest march in the town.

CPM leaders said the attack on the League office occurred while their protest was underway against the alleged assault on their office. The stone-pelting incident took place around 9.30 pm, hours after UDF workers held a victory celebration procession in the town. The League office, CH Centre, was targeted shortly after.

Police said security has been stepped up in the area to prevent further clashes and to maintain law and order.