Kannur: Sports Minister O J Janeesh’s car was attacked by DYFI workers at Taliparamba and Payyannur on Thursday. The minister was travelling to Kasaragod after attending programmes in Kannur when his car was stopped at Taliparamba and hit with stones.

The Chief Minister’s Office, in a statement, said the attack on the minister in Kannur was carried out with the knowledge of the CPM leadership. Those who attacked the minister and those who allegedly conspired to carry out the assault would be brought before the law, the statement said.

The CMO said the attack, allegedly carried out by DYFI-CPM workers, was unacceptable and alleged there were several attempts to target the minister’s vehicle earlier too.

According to the statement, the incidents reported in Payyanur and Taliparamba were a continuation of the attacks against former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during his tenure.

The CMO also accused the CPM of attempting to create unrest in the state following what it called an 'electoral setback'. It said the CPM was using criminal and quotation groups to carry out protests and said the government had a responsibility to prevent such incidents.

The statement also questioned whether the CPM was targeting Janeesh over his role in leading Youth Congress protests against the BJP-led government and the Election Commission. The CMO warned that the CPM and DYFI should not assume that such incidents would continue unchecked.

The allegations come amid heightened political tensions in Kannur, with the ruling and opposition fronts trading accusations over the attack on the minister.

Janeesh had arrived in Kannur to attend a programme of the Archaeology Department. People accompanying the minister said the car’s flag pole and rain guard were damaged in the attacks.