A Bharatiya Janata Party worker was attacked by a group of unidentified men in Idiyanchira near Kerala’s Thrissur district on Friday. Kalapuraikal Vishnuprasad was injured on his head and limbs and is being treated at a private hospital.
The incident took place around 10.30 am when the assailants allegedly chased Vishnuprasad before ramming their car into his bike, reported India Today. The BJP has accused Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers for the assault. However, the police said the victim and attackers had old personal rivalry. “It's too early to say this has any political angle to it," said an officer. Though no arrests have been made yet, the authorities have beefed up the security in the area, reported The New Indian Express.
The attack comes nine days after a BJP worker was killed by unknown assailants in Kannur district on October 12. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP of "deliberately" creating tension in the state. He had also declined the Congress’ demand for an adjournment of the Kerala Assembly and lauded the government for taking "all initiatives". He also showered praise on the police for being impartial in their handling of the murders.
Friday’s attack comes during ongoing violence in the state over the last few months. Kerala has witnessed seven political murders since the Left Democratic Front government came to power in May. Both the warring parties – the BJP and the CPI(M) – have accused each other for the bloodshed.
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