Two injured as BJP protest march turns violent

Kozhikode, Jul 1 (UNI) Two people including a policeman, were injured when a protest march by BJP, demanding retrieval of government land ''illegally'' held by Indus Motors, turned violent at Cheruvannur in the district today.

Indus Motors, a Maruti showroom, is owned by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P V Abdul Wahab, MP.

Police said the trouble began when the slogan shouting activists, who were stopped by security forces near the showroom, pelted stones injuring a policeman and driver of a state-owned Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus.

Windscreens of two KSRTC buses were also damaged in stone pelting, police said.

Meanwhile, the Indus Motors had started vacating the building constructed on the 32 cent land, allegedly held by the firm, on directives of the District Administration.

However, BJP state unit Vice President V Muraleedhran, while addressing the activists later said the party would continue its agitation until more than 12 acres of land ''illegaly'' held by the company was retrieved by government agencies.

UNI PCH RL HT1730