The controversial newsvendor, who allegedly torched and stomped on a poster of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at a rally last month, claimed he was attacked by a group of knife-wielding youths last night.

S Krishna Nair, 47, also known as Mak Mandin Kumar, sustained severe slash wounds and bruises on his thighs, back, head, hips and hands during the attack in Mak Mandin mini-industrial area at 10pm yesterday.

NONE He said since the poster-burning incident during a Barisan Nasional youth demonstration in Georgetown on Nov 30, he had received numerous mobile text messages from anonymous sources, including some even threatening his life.

However, he did not make any police report on the threats.

Nair said he believed the attack was carried out by certain politicians following the Umno-led BN Youth demonstration outside the state legislative assembly house.

Nair said he was riding home last night when he was stopped by eight youths on four motorcycles outside the Puspakom depot. All of them wore full-faced helmets.

"They blocked my motorcycle and said in Malay that they wanted to talk to me." When he tried suggesting a place for them to talk, one man slashed him in the back.

Politicians named in police report

Following the sudden attack, a fight ensued between him and six youths, while two others stood by to watch.

S Krishna Nair "When I fell down, they held my leg and hacked it with the chopper. They then fled the scene. I sustained at least four severe wounds on my thighs," he said.

Nair said he had received stitches for the slash wounds, including 16 on his right thigh.

He had lodged a police report at Mak Mandin station and recorded two police statements.

North Seberang Perai OCPD ACP Zulkifli Alias said the case was being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing harm with dangerous weapons.

In his report, Nair has named several politicians as possible suspects behind the assault.