Accident in Highway leads to mob violence in Attingal

Attingal: A person, identified as Remesan (41), a taxi driver by profession, has been killed in an accident in national highway, right in front of private bus stand here yesterday evening. The incident sparked mob violence and sharp reaction from public against a recently implemented traffic reform. This is the second accident that results in a person’s death after the implementation of the reform. A bus, Geetha, which operates between Attingal and Kilimanoor, completely ran over him, making the body almost unidentifiable. The crew of the bus ran away immediately. Public gathered around the body, creating traffic block in the highway. Soon the mob became violent and their ire turned first against the bus that caused the accident and then against other vehicles. Some policemen were on the scene, but when they tried to intervene, public outrage turned against them. They had to retreat, unable to withstand the stone-throwing from the rudely crowd.

Soon more police forces arrived on the scene and they managed to disperse the crowd and take the body to Medical College, Trivandrum. It is learnt that the crowd went on rampaging on some shops and vehicles in some other parts of the town. The Congress-led UDF has called for a harthal in Attingal today in protest against the traffic reform. Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (a powerful organisation of merchants in Kerala), has declared their support for the harthal. Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr. P.K. Gopinath has alleged a conspiracy behind the entire episode. All these have led to a tense environment in this normally peaceful town.