The BJP called on for a hartal in Kottayam district from dawn-to-dusk on Friday, in protest against the attack on two of its workers.

Grama Panchayat member and Panchayat Committee president P K Sethu and Jayakumar were attacked on Thursday when they were on their way to the Panchayat office.

The two are members of the Kumarakom Grama Panchayat.

The BJP alleged that the CPI (M) is behind the attack. However the CPI (M ) has rejected the allegations.

According to reports in Malayalam dailies Ambili, a history sheeter led the attack. There were around 20 people in the gang who all wore masks.  Sethu has sustained serious injuries on his leg and arm. Jayakumar has also sustained injuries in the attack.

The police are still in search of the accused. “There were 17 people in the gang who attacked the Panchayat members of the BJP. All the accused are active workers of the CPI (M). Ten of the accused have been identified,” Kumarakom police told The News Minute.

The police added that the injury of the BJP workers are not serious, though they are still undergoing treatment in the hospital. BJP Kottayam district president N Hari demanded investigation by a special team in to the incident, reports Manorama Online. 

In 2017, there have already been almost 19 hartals at various levels, of which nine were called for by the BJP.

Mahatma Gandhi University said that the examination scheduled for Friday will not be postponed.