Left, BJP workers clash in Kannur; Prohibitory orders clamped

Kannur, May 20: CPI(M) and BJP workers clashed in various places last night during the Left party's election victory celebrations, leaving at least 30 people injured, following which prohibitory orders have been clamped in the district.

The injured-- 24 belonging to BJP and six of CPI(M) -- have been hospitalised, police said. Panur, Dharmadam, Thalassery and Pinarayi saw workers of the two parties attacking each other last night, they said.

Crude bombs were hurled at houses of some BJP workers and vehicles were also damaged. Kannur is a stronghold of the Left party.

Yesterday, one person was killed and eight others were injured when two country made bombs were hurled at CPI(M)-led LDF'spoll victory rallies in the district.

Dharmadam, from where CPI(M) politburo member and chief ministerial aspirant Pinarayi Vijayan won, is observing half-day bandh today over the killing of the CPI(M) worker.

CPI(M)-BJP and CPI(M)-IUML clashes were also reported from some places in northermost Kasaragod district yesterday following which prohibitory orders had been clamped at Kasaragod, Kanhangad and Manjeswaram.

In the poll results declared yesterday, CPI(M)-led LDF returned to power getting a comfortable majority dealing a huge blow to ruling Congress-led UDF while BJP created history making its debut. In the 140-member assembly, LDF won 91 seats, UDF 47, BJP and Independents, one each.

PTI