KOTTAYAM: Eight persons were arrested in connection with the recent assault of Erattupetta grama panchayat president K A Muhammed Hashim. According to Erattupetta sub-inspector Siby Thomas, five SDPI activists who have been identified as Haneef, Humaish, Sathar, Hamsa and Sumeer, have all been arrested for their alleged roles in assaulting Hashim.

Meanwhile, another three persons who were accused of attacking Abdul Wahab, a Muslim League activist, during the tensed situation that had prevailed following the assault of the grama panchayat president. Those arrested are Shihab, Salim and Saheer. Thomas said that no untoward incidents were reported on Tuesday. Police personnel have been positioned at various points in the town.