Oommen Chandy injured after CPI-M activists stone car

Kannur: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was injured after his car was stoned by suspected CPI-M activists here, a party leader said. Chandy was arriving to attend the annual athletics meet of Kerala Police. Speaking to reporters, party general secretary T Siddiq said that he was travelling with the chief minister in his car when the attack occurred. "...Stones came from both sides and I immediately threw my hands around him to protect him and a stone hit my hand. The glass pieces came flying and hit him on the forehead and injured him," he said. State party chief Ramesh Chennithala said they suspect there was a conspiracy behind the attack and demanded a probe. "We have called for a statewide protest today (Sunday) night against this ghastly attack. There is every reason to suspect that this was a pre-planned attack and was perhaps done with the knowledge of the Left Democratic Front leaders... a probe has to be conducted," he told reporters.

Kannur district has always been the stronghold of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and top party leaders, including state secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan and politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, hail from there.