Ambayathode clash: Many keep away from voting afraid of police action

Afraid of police action, many of the local action committee leaders and members who were at large following a clash with police over the pollution issues caused by the Ambayathode-based poultry rendering unit did not turn up for voting till 1 p.m. on Thursday (December 11, 2025).

Those kept away from voting also included Babu Kudukkil, the chairman of the action committee who is contesting from ward number 11 of the Thamarassery panchayat. The Police had issued a look out notice against him after he filed nomination papers to contest the elections on Indian Union Muslim League ticket.

Sources said the majority of the protesters booked in connection with the incident were from Kattippara, Thamarassery, Omassery and Kodenchery grama panchayats. Though the voter turnout was above 30 percent by noon in those panchayats, the intensified police surveillance prompted many to remain in their hideouts.

Meanwhile, some of the action committee members facing legal action claimed that they exercised their rights in the morning itself unmindful of the police presence. They also hinted that any legal action against them would be fought collectively.

“We have noticed the preparations of the police to zero in on some of our members who turned up for voting in Kodenchery panchayat. There will be strong resistance in case of any move to arrest them,” said a senior leader of the local action committee. He said the police should respect the democratic rights of citizens and should not create a scary scene with heavy deployment near the polling booths.

It was on October 21 that the waste rendering unit was shut following arson and violence triggered by an agitated group within the action committee. Several local protesters and police officers were among those who sustained injuries in the clash in which a portion of the factory was set on fire apart from vandalising about 15 vehicles.

Over 300 persons who reportedly took part in the violence were later booked under various grave sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A special investigation team under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Yathish Chandra had also been constituted to probe the case which initially led to the arrest of over 30 persons.