Eight Hindus hacked to death by muslims in Kerala; 20 hurt in communal flars up

Kozhikode, May 2 (UNI) In a sudden communal flare-up, eight hindus were hacked to death and over 20 others injured, many of them seriously, in a series of group clashes, at Marad beach near Beypore in the district tonight.

Tension broke out suddenly near the Arayasamajam (fishermen group) with a gathering coming under instant attack by a group of miscreants with sharp weapons who hacked five people to death on the spot at around 1900 hrs.

The attack triggered series of clashes wiht arson and violence in the coastal belt. Houses were set on fire as people went on a rampage and women and children ran for shelter.

``A group of miscreants armed with swords and other weapons waylaid and began attacking us indiscriminately as we were standing near the Samajam building,'' an injured person told UNI.

Though police maintained that the immediate provocation for the attack was not known, it was believed to be a sequel to similar clashes in January 2002 in the locality which left five dead and scores injured.

Senior police and civil officials were camping in the areas as tension continued. Heavy police force has been deployed to avoid any further flare-up, police sources said adding that the situation was being brought under control.

The deceased were identified as Santhosh (22), Madhavan (65), Krishnan(40), Gopalan (50), Chandran (40), Pushparaj (38), Dasan (30) and Askar (25), all hailing from Arakkinar of Marad beach. The bodies were brought to the Kozhikode medical college hospital while the injured, including a woman, were admitted to the MCH and other hospitals.

The MCH also witnessed ghastly scenes and tension as more ambulances carrying profusely bleeding persons rushed in and close relatives started collapsing after seeing their badly bruised kin.

The clashes were believed to be a sequel to the series of clashes in January 2002 which left five killed and scores injured besides a number huts and fishing boats destroyed.

Though the violence flared up in connection with an eve-teasing incident on New Years day in 2002, the local people held that tension between the two sections had been there for long, especially after December six.