Kozhikode: Leading environmental activists in Kerala who headed out to check the irregularities of the quarry and bund belonging to the father-in-law of CPI(M) MLA from Nilambur, P. V. Anvar, were attacked and manhandled by communist goons.
The environmental activists and intellectuals who were attacked include M. N. Karasherri, C. R. Neelakandan, Dr. Azad, K. Ajitha, Prof. Kusumam Joseph, T. V. Rajan.
Karasherri later told that a mob of those supporting the MLA rushed towards them and attacked the activists. Some hurled abuses at Prof. Kusumam Joseph and twisted her hands in the attack.
He also said that they wanted to check the illegal construction and the flouting of environmental laws at the quarry and the bund.
The activists accused that CPI(M) Local Committee Secretary, Jaleel, had led the mob that attacked them.
They complained that the police arrived only after hours of the incident hinting that the police might have been influenced by the communist party. The activists later went back to Kozhikode where they staged a protest march against the attack by the communist party members.