Sat Nov 16 20:25:03 IST 2024: ## Congress Calls for Hartal in Kozhikode Following Violent Cooperative Bank Elections

**Kozhikode, [Date]:** The Congress party has announced a 24-hour hartal in Kozhikode district, beginning at 6 AM tomorrow, following violent clashes during elections for the Chevayur Service Co-operative Bank. The hartal was announced by DCC president Praveen and MP MK Raghavan at a press conference.

The violence erupted today at the polling station located at the Government Higher Secondary School, Parayanchery. Vehicles transporting voters were attacked amidst a contested election between the Congress’ official panel and a rebel faction supported by the CPM, operating under the banner of the “Bank Protection Committee.”

Congress leaders allege that the CPM was behind the attacks, claiming the CPM orchestrated around 5,000 fraudulent votes and prevented 10,000 Congress voters from casting their ballots. They further accused the police of complicity, citing a failure to intervene despite the alleged presence of CPM activists with fake ID cards arriving as early as 4 AM. Congress workers, including women voters, were reportedly injured during the clashes. The party described the violence as a “Kannur model” attack, referring to a history of political violence in Kannur district.

Congress leaders demanded the cancellation of the election results, citing widespread irregularities and police inaction. Attempts to contact the Kozhikode police commissioner were reportedly unsuccessful. The CPM has yet to respond to these allegations.

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