4 hurt in clash in Vazhathope panchayat

Idukki: The ruling and opposition members of Vazhathope grama panchayat got into a scuffle on Saturday, leaving four injured.Panchayat president Ancy Thomas, vice-president Celine Vincent and opposition members Siji Chacko and Prabha Thankachan sustained injuries. All four were admitted to the Idukki medical college hospital.Sources said the two factions got into an argument over reallocation of unimplemented projects from the previous year. It soon escalated into a physical altercation. Thomas stated that the project revisions were made in accordance with decisions taken by earlier committees. She alleged that certain members deliberately created disruption after consuming alcohol. Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose demanded stringent action against Left-backed panchayat member Thankachan accused of assaulting the president. tnn