A day after the authorities settled a dispute over the alleged social boycott of the members of a carol group at Pathamuttom, the war of words over the issue continued between the DYFI and the Congress on Sunday.
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MLA, denied the allegation that the carol group members had “staged a drama with support from the Congress.” “If it was a controversy hatched by us, why did the district administration intervene and why was the probe handed over to the Crime Branch,” he told mediapersons here on Sunday.
He said the Congress’s only demand was to ensure protection to the women and children in the group, who had been ‘facing threat from a few CPI(M) leaders.’ He also sought action against the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kottayam, for the alleged unilateral police action against Congress activists. The MLA warned of strong protests if the authorities tried to protect the official.
March today
In protest against the alleged attempts by the police to fabricate cases against the UDF workers who took part in a march last week on the isue, the District Congress Committee will stage a march in Kottayam Town on Monday evening.
The DYFI leadership, however, accused Mr. Radhakrishnan of attempting to gain political mileage out of a long-standing dispute between two families. “It was a drama staged with the support of the church secretary, who was trying to fabricate cases against the DYFI,” said Sajesh Sasi, DYFI district secretary, told mediapersons.
The incident pertained to an alleged attack on a carol group, including women and children, near Pathamuttom on December 23. Following the clash, the group members took asylum inside a church for about two weeks, fearing a backlash from the DYFI members.