At least three people were injured in a clash between Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Omallur in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday.

Among the injured, two are CPI(M) workers. All are currently undergoing treatment at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital.

The CPI(M) alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-BJP workers were behind the attack, while the BJP claimed that the CPI(M) members initiated the violence by targeting the house of a BJP supporter. However, CPI(M) leaders maintained that their workers were assaulted without provocation while passing by a BJP worker’s house near the Omallur temple.

According to CPI(M)’s Omallur local committee secretary Byju Omallur, party workers and former Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) block committee member Pradeep Azhimali and DYFI unit joint secretary Arun were attacked with a machete by BJP worker Akhil T.P., his father, and others as they rode past Akhil’s house on a motorcycle after participating in Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh protests.

BJP version

In contrast, BJP supporters alleged that Akhil was the target. His mother, Prasannakumari, claimed that a group of men stormed their house and assaulted her son. “Akhil is not involved in anything. They dragged me while I was standing at the door. This was a politically motivated attack,” she said.

The police are investigating whether the clash is connected to a recent dispute over the conduct of a temple festival at Omallur.