Kannur, Kerala: Congress workers staging a protest in Payyannur demanding the resignation of MLA TI Madhusoodanan over alleged martyr’s fund misappropriation were attacked by CPM activists on Saturday.

The protest, organised by the Congress Block Committee, was held following revelations made by V Kunjikrishnan, who alleged financial irregularities linked to the martyr’s fund.

As the march reached Payyannur town around 5.30 pm, CPM workers allegedly entered the protest venue and launched an assault on Congress and Youth Congress activists.

Congress leaders claimed that nearly 30 CPM workers carried out the attack and alleged that the assailants were “goons of the MLA”. Several activists, including the Youth Congress Payyannur constituency president and the Kannur district vice-president of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), sustained injuries.

The incident allegedly occurred while police were present at the spot, drawing sharp criticism from Congress leaders.

The protest was triggered by allegations that financial manipulation took place in the 2011 Assembly election accounts, and also funds collected in the name of Dhanaraj, who was killed on July 11, 2016.

Congress has demanded immediate action against those involved in the assault and reiterated its call for the MLA’s resignation.