The house of Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) area secretary and CPI(M) local committee member Francis in Kattakada came under attack late on Tuesday night, with unidentified persons hurling country bombs and stones at it. The front portion of the house was damaged in the fire caused by the petrol bomb.
The attack happened after Francis returned home after closing his hotel in Kattakada. The attack began with stone throwing, which damaged the windows. Petrol bombs were hurled after this. Neighbours rushed to the spot and doused the fire immediately. Kattakada has, over the past few days, witnessed a series of clashes between the CPI(M) and the BJP. The police suspect the attack to be a continuation of this.
The CPI(M) district leadership has accused the BJP of being behind the attack. Meanwhile, the BJP has denied any involvement in it and called for an investigation to nab the real culprits. In a press release, the party said it was doubtful whether the attack actually happened and if it did, the real culprits should be brought to book. Some elements were trying to create an impression that the peace talks had failed, said the press release.
On Tuesday morning, CPI(M) and BJP leaders in the district had held peace talks to put an end to the political violence that had taken place in the city over the past week.