Coimbatore in south west Tamil Nadu wore a tense look on Thursday following  the attack on Madukkarai Anand (32), district secretary of Hindu Front (an umbrella organisation of all Hindu outfits in the State) late Wednesday night.

Two motor cycle-borne miscreants attacked Anand with iron rods, knives and swords while he was returning home after attending a pro CAA rally staged at Gandhipuram, a suburb in the communally sensitive Coimbatore city. “He was seriously injured and was admitted to a private hospital where his condition continues to be serious. Our suspicion is centred on activists of Islamic organisations which have been demonstrating against the CAA,” said J S Kishore Kumar, Tamil Nadu Secretary, Hindu Front.

The police have registered a FIR and investigation is on to find out the culprits behind the attack. The Hindu Front has called for a dawn to dusk hartal in Coimbatore district to condemn the attack on Anand, a full time activist of the organization. The call for hartal was given by  C Subramaniam, president , Hindu Front, Tamil Nadu.

This is the first attack on Hindu activists after the eruption of widespread agitation against the CAA staged by various Islamic outfits. The State is witnessing rallies and demonstrations supporting and opposing the new citizen bill. Barring the unpleasant incidents in Chennai in which more than six policemen were grievously injured by a mob staging demonstration against the CAA, the protest marches have been by and large peaceful all over the State.

A police official probing the attack on Anand pointed out that the situation in Coimbatore had turned tense following the passing of the CAA.

“Whatever good ties existed between the communities have vaporised leading to a strong demarcation. This is the ground reality,” said the official.