A 10-month-old infant in Kerala’s Malappuram district became a victim of political rivalry on Tuesday. This after CPI(M) workers allegedly attacked the baby’s father, a BJP member.
Baby Kashinath’s father Suresh, a BJP worker, claimed that his son, who was sitting on his lap on the driver’s seat of their car, was pulled out and flung on to the road by a trio of CPI (M) workers.
While the three attackers are yet to be arrested, the police have registered a case against them under various sections of the IPC including 341, 324, 294 (B), 506 (II), 308, 392, 427 read with section 34.
Amidst criticism of police inaction, Tirur SI told The News Minute that the complainant's statements have been recorded.
"We have identified the attackers and have found that they are indeed CPI (M) workers. We believe political rivalry to be the cause behind the attack. The attackers will soon be taken into custody," the inspector said.
Alleging that the three CPI (M) workers were involved in other political clashes in the area, Suresh, a native of Tirur, told The News Minute that the attack was totally unprovoked.
"I had parked my car on the roadside and was waiting for a friend to arrive. I didn't not see the three men coming on a bike, but realized it only when one of them suddenly opened my car door," Suresh recalled.
The 32-year-old alleged that, the attackers who realized that Suresh was with his son, pushed the baby out of the car before attacking him.
"They damaged my car and mobile phone too. The situation in the area has been quite tense over the past few days with CPI (M)-BJP clashes prevalent. Being a BJP supporter and someone who has closely been associated with the party, I do not see any other motive for this attack. But it is just wrong to hurt my son in the name of political rivalry," said Suresh, who is a taxi-driver in Ernakulam.
When people began to gather around, the attackers fled the scene. Suresh and his baby were later taken to a hospital after Tirur police reached the spot. Kashinath has been admitted to Tirur district hospital since then.
Suresh and his family are now contemplating filing a complaint with the Child Right's Commission.
"We spoke to a Childline official about the attack and they instructed us to meet the SP. We will soon give a written complaint," Suresh said.