CHENNAI: The CPM on Sunday condemned the alleged murderous attack on its Kallakurichi district secretary T M Jeyashankar, former district secretary T Elumalai, district committee member T S Mohan and their car driver near Ulundurpet on August 21.

In a statement, CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said a group of eight men allegedly intercepted their car near Kiliyur after the leaders had completed preparations for a protest, abused them, damaged the party flag and car windows, and assaulted them.

The attack was allegedly linked to the CPM's protests against a former Vadhamambakkam panchayat president over alleged diversion of funds meant for constructing 22 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The former panchayat president's two sons were among the alleged attackers, Shanmugam said.

Though a complaint was lodged at Kallamarudur police station, police had so far arrested only one person, he said. Shanmugam urged police to immediately arrest all the accused and invoke stringent provisions of law.