Cases booked against around 200 CPI(M), Cong. and BJP workers after violence in Payyannur

The police have registered cases against around 200 Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in connection with a series of violent incidents in Payyannur town on Saturday (January 24, 2026).

According to the police, 18 CPI(M) workers have been booked for reportedly attacking a Congress demonstration, while CPI(M) Payyannur area secretary P. Santhosh and municipal chairman Sarin Sasi are among those named in the cases.

Cases have been registered against 57 Congress workers for allegedly staging a road blockade in Payyannur town. Congress leaders K. Jayaraj, A. Rupesh, Navneet Narayanan, Arjun Korom, A.P. Narayanan and Akash Bhaskar, along with about 50 other identified workers, have been booked in this connection.

The police have also registered a case against 25 BJP workers reportedly for blocking traffic in Payyannur town without permission. BJP leaders Panakil Balakrishnan, Dhanesh Kaniyamkunnu, Sujith Thayineri, Mohanan Kunhimangalam and Nandan Puthiyankavu, along with around 20 other workers, have been named in the case.