'Strict vigil at Marad averted recurrence of violence': Antony

Kozhikode: The strict vigil maintained by the Police soon after the May 2003 violence at nearby Marad that claimed nine lives helped in averting recurrence of violence not only in the region but also elsewhere in the state, former Kerala Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP, A.K. Antony said.

While the January 2002 attack was soon followed by another bout of violence in May 2003, the police acted swiftly to avert recurrence of violence, Antony, who was the Chief Minister when communal conflagration took place in the Marad beach area, said deposing before the Marad Judicial Enquiry Commission here. Police force was not withdrawn totally from the area after the first incident and the number of police personnel to be positioned there was decided by the police officials, he said.

VHP leader Praveen Togadia was not banned from visiting Marad soon after the 2003 incident as the Government was advised so by the police, he said. Noting that there was no political pressure on him to keep his Cabinet colleagues away from visiting Marad after the violent incidents, Antony said it was based on police advice that he decided to visit the area alone.