Koothuparamba MLA and former State Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan was attacked and manhandled by local residents at Kariyad near Pannoor in Kannur district on Thursday, during a protest over alleged pollution caused by a local dialysis centre.
Mohanan, who represents the Koothuparamba constituency as a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF),was reportedly attacked by the local residents when he arrived to inaugurate an Anganwadi in the area.
The attack occurred amidst ongoing local protests against the Kariyad Thanal Dialysis Centre. Residents have accused the facility of discharging untreated wastewater, leading to severe environmental pollution in the locality.
According to reports, Mohanan was alone and no party members or aides were accompanying him when he attempted to walk through the group of protesters. The crowd, enraged over the unresolved pollution issue, allegedly pushed and attempted to assault him.
Police have registered a case against nearly 20 individuals in connection with the incident.