• By News Desk
  • Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:54 PM (IST)
  • Source:PTI
Add as a preferred

A house belonging to a CPI(M) leader who allegedly supported a rebel candidate was attacked, and a car parked on the premises was set on fire here, police said on Friday. Payyannur police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The targeted house belonged to T Purushothaman, a native of Mavicheri in Payyannur. The attack was allegedly carried out by unidentified persons, police said.

According to the police, the complainant has alleged that CPI(M) workers were involved in the incident. Purushothaman, a local party leader, is a friend of V Kunhikrishnan, who defected from the CPI(M), raising corruption allegations against party leaders, and contested as an independent candidate with UDF support in the Payyannur constituency.

ALSO READ: High Polarisation To SIR: Key Factors Behind Record Turnout In Assam Polls | Explained

As per the FIR, the incident occurred at around 12.30 am, when unidentified persons trespassed into the house compound, set fire to the car parked there, and smashed window panes by pelting stones. Police officials said CCTV footage from the area is being examined as part of the investigation. "This is an example of mafia-style politics in Kannur. They want to silence dissenting voices," Purushothaman told the media.

Purushothaman said he is currently a member of the party's branch committee and alleged that party members were behind the attack. "I attended the function held for the release of Kunhikrishnan's book, which agitated them and led to the attack on me," he said. Kunhikrishnan later visited the house and told reporters that the CPI(M) had carried out violence across the constituency after the polls.

ALSO READ: Is Strait Of Hormuz Open Or Closed? What's Happening In The Waterway After US-Iran Ceasefire - Key Questions Answered

He said party leaders are panicked and fear defeat in Payyannur, a stronghold of the CPI(M). Following the conclusion of Assembly Elections on Thursday evening, incidents of alleged attacks by CPI(M) activists on Congress and BJP workers were reported in the Payyannur, Taliparamba, Mattannur, and Dharmadam constituencies of Kannur district.

(Note: Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Daily Jagran staff. Credit:PTI)


Also In News