Former BJP state president, V Muraleedharan was among the 16 persons who sustained injuries, including some police personnel in the clash last night.
Thiruvananthapuram:
BJP and CPI(M) are observing a shutdown (hartal) today to protest against the last night's attack on their workers at Kattayikonam in the district, which had left at least 16 injured.
The clash took place at a time when Kerala is gearing up for the May 16 polls, which is expected to see the BJP, which is yet to open its account in the state, giving a tough fight to both ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
At least 16 persons sustained injuries, including former BJP state president, V Muraleedharan and some police personnel in the clash last night.
Shops and commercial establishments in various parts of the district have downed shutters, with vehicles being exempted from the hartal's purview in view of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and various other examinations.
Trouble started after a group of BJP workers took out a procession on a local issue which was allegedly attacked by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)-CPI(M) workers at Kazhakootam.
Later at night, the workers of both the parties again clashed at Kattayikonam. Police jeeps and shops were damaged in stone pelting.
While the BJP has called for a 12 hour hartal from 9 AM to 6 PM in Thiruvananthapuram district, the CPI(M) hartal is restricted to Kazhakootam and Kattayikonam.