Kozhikode: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony arrived in Kozhikode on May 4 to visit violence-hit Marad, where nine persons were killed in communal violence on May 2 night, to make an on-the-spot assessment of the violent incidents and take peace initiatives.

Antony would be accompanied by several of his Cabinet colleagues and the state director general of police (DGP) K J Joseph.

Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is also scheduled to visit Marad during the day. The situation was now "fast returning to normal", police said.

A 500-strong police force had been deployed in sensitive areas in the Beypore panchayat area, comprising Marad, the sources said, adding 85 persons had been taken into custody so far in connection with the incidents.

Meanwhile, the condition of three of the 13 seriously injured, now under treatment at the Medical College hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in Kozhikode, reported "critical" till May 3 night, had improved considerably, hospital sources said.

PTI