The CPI(M) today observed 'Black day' in Kerala in protest against Governor R S Gavai's decision to accord sanction to the CBI to prosecute former Minister and party's state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin graft case.
According to Police, stray incidents of violence and arson were reported in Kannur district where a 'hartal' was observed.
Overruling the LDF Cabinet decision, the Governor gave the sanction yesterday to prosecute Vijayan in the case related to alleged irregularities in awarding contract for renovation of three hydro-electric projects to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin
when Vijayan was the power minister in 1998.
The CPI-M has termed the case as politically motivated. Educational institutions remained closed in some parts of the state, including Thiruvananthapuram.
A group of protesters attacked the bureau of the Mathrubhumi daily in Thalassery in which the window panes of the office were smashed. A few bundles of the Malayala Manorama daily were set on fire at a bus stand, police said.
A CPI(M)-controlled library building was attacked at Chalad near here and the Left party has accused Congress workers for the incident.