No-confidence motion leads to police lathi-charge

Pathanamthitta, Jan 10 (UNI) Notice for a no-confidence motion given by the United Democratic Front (UDF) against Left Democratic Front (LDF) Chairperson Amrutham Gokulam and Vice-Chairman Muhammed Sali of the Pathanamthitta Municipality resulted in tense situation leading to a police lathicharge today.

Because of the hindrance put up by the ruling LDF councillors, discussion and voting on the motion could not be held.

Tension was sparked off in the morning when the UDF councillors along with three others, who deserted the LDF, tried to enter the council hall.

Anticipating the move of the UDF, LDF councillors and their supporters laid a seige to the municipal building. When the UDF members tried to force entry into the hall, violence broke out leading to the lathicharge in which several people including LDF councillor Sakir Hussain were injured. However, 15 UDF councillors managed to enter the hall.

With Joint Director of Municipalities M A Sasidharan Nair in the Chair, the council session began in tense atmosphere.

Meanwhile, LDF concillors trooped into the hall and threw away the ballot papers and other documents. Voting on the motion could not be held and the meeting was adjourned to 2 PM.

When the council reassembled, unruly scene was repeated and voting postponed.

Later, Mr Nair told reporters that he would send a report on the incident to the State Election Commission tomorrow.

In the 29-member council, the UDF has 16 members and the LDF 12 and the remaining one belonged to the BJP.

UNI