Kerala: Sangh calls hartal to protest attack

Alappuzha district went under a Sangh Parivar-sponsored hartal on Tuesday to protest an attack on the homes of a couple of BMS leaders on Monday night, which left one dead. Shops and offices remained shut in the district throughout the day.

The homes of BMS men Sasi and Pradip were attacked by an armed mob who ransacked the homes and attacked their family members. Sasi’s mother, 80-year-old Nandini, had a heart attack in the melee, and died at a hospital where neighbours rushed her. Sasi’s wife and two children also sustained injuries.

Local CPI(M) leaders claimed their workers were not involved in the mayhem, while the police claim to have nabbed 12 men of the extremist National Development Front (NDF) that it says was responsible. Both the NDF and BMS have, however, held the CPI(M) responsible.