Desk Correspondent , Thiruvananthapuram - Post poll violence has erupted in Kerala's Kannur district following the April 9, 2026 Assembly election polling, with a house belonging to a CPI(M) rebel supporter attacked and a car set ablaze in Payyannur. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Friday, when unidentified persons allegedly trespassed into the compound of T. Purushothaman's residence in Mavicheri, torched the parked vehicle, and pelted stones, shattering window panes.

Purushothaman, a former CPI(M) member turned supporter of independent candidate V. Kunhikrishnan who defected from the party amid corruption allegations and is backed by UDF in Payyannur blamed CPI(M) workers for the assault. Police have registered a case under relevant IPC sections for arson and vandalism, and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area as part of the ongoing probe. Similar clashes were reported post polling in nearby Taliparamba, Mattannur, and Dharmadam, where Congress and BJP workers also alleged attacks by CPI(M) activists.

Kannur, long a hotspot for political rivalry between LDF and UDF fronts, has seen recurring post election flare ups, with police deploying additional forces to restore order amid heightened tensions after a fiercely contested single phase poll. Authorities urge calm as counting nears on May 4, warning against further provocations that could mar the democratic process.