Thiruvananthapuram, January 7: Kerala Police on Monday have arrested one Rashtriya Swayansevak Sangh (RSS) worker in connection with the January 3 mass violence that broke out during the state-wide hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi in Kerala. Police have also arrested a BJP worker – P Pratheesh – for attacking a police jeep during the protest.

However, another RSS worker and the main accused, is still absconding. According to police, N Nishant, allegedly RSS worker, had hurled a crude bomb near the Nedumangad police station. Sabarimala: BJP Instigating Violence, CPI Govt Failed to Maintain Law & Order, Says Cong.

In the violent protest, against the two women entering the holy shrine of Lord Aiyyappa temple in Sabarimala, two police stations were attacked, and agitators vandalised scores of CPI (M) offices. As the protest became violent, police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Around 31 policemen were injured, and approximately 100 buses of the state-owned transport corporation KSRTC were damaged.

Stating that the Sangh Parivar was trying to torpedo the Supreme Court order, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said, as reported by the Indian Express, “Today is the fifth hartal by the BJP against the Supreme Court verdict. People are familiar with the violence unleashed by the Sangh Parivar at Sabarimala. The government would strongly deal with the violence. The government would not take any women by force to Sabarimala. At the same time, it would give protection for those who want to visit the temple.”

On Monday, BJP MPs also staged a protest against violence, targeting their leaders in Kerala which includes a crude bomb thrown at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP V Muraleedharan and blamed the CPI-M-led state government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 07, 2019 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).