Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
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Sangeeta Pisharoty elected first woman President of Press Club of India
New Delhi: Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty was elected President of the Press Club of India on Sunday, becoming the first woman and the first journalist from the Northeast to head the prestigious body.
Pisharoty’s panel registered a clean sweep in the elections, winning all office-bearer and managing committee positions with a decisive 21–0 margin. She secured 1,019 votes, defeating Atul Mishra, who polled 129 votes, and Arun Sharma, who received 89 votes.
Afzal Imam was elected Secretary-General with 948 votes, defeating Gyan Prakash, who secured 290 votes. Jatin Gandhi was elected Vice-President with 1,029 votes, defeating Prahlad Singh Rajput by a margin of over 900 votes. Aditi Rajput was elected Treasurer and P R Sunil Joint Secretary, both unopposed.
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In the elections to the 16-member Managing Committee, Niraj Kumar topped the list with 932 votes, followed by Abhishek Kumar Singh with 911 votes, Jahanvi Sen with 903 votes, Ashok Kaushik with 892 votes, Kallol Bhattacharjee with 882 votes, Praveen Jain with 878 votes, Agraj Pratap Singh with 865 votes, Manoj Sharma with 861 votes, Nyanima Basu with 851 votes, P B Suresh with 838 votes, V P Pandey with 833 votes, Prem Bahukhandi with 831 votes, Sneha Bhura with 829 votes, Javed Akhtar with 823 votes, Rezaul Hasan Laskar with 781 votes, and Sunil Kumar with 780 votes.
Reacting to her election, Pisharoty said the result reflected the collective confidence of Press Club of India members in her panel’s vision and its commitment to free, fair, and responsible journalism.
Outgoing President Gautam Lahiri thanked the members for their support and said the new leadership would continue efforts to make the Club more inclusive, responsive, and relevant to the changing challenges faced by journalists.
Outgoing Secretary-General Neeraj Thakur said the election of the first woman President marked a significant moment in the history of the Press Club of India and reaffirmed its commitment to equality, diversity, and democratic values.
