CPI(M) Activist Hacked to Death in Kannur; Seven RSS Men in Custody

Thiruvananthapuram: Haridasan (54), a fisherman and a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), was hacked to death allegedly by assailants affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) near his house in Punnol, New Mahe, near Thalassery in Kannur district.

Haridasan, who went to the sea for fishing on Sunday, was on his way back home after work when he was attacked by a group of men with bombs and hack-sticks around 1.30 am on Monday. Seven RSS workers have been taken into police custody and are being interrogated in connection with the incident.

Relatives Witnessed the Cruel Assault

The assailants were reportedly waiting near Haridasan’s house by the seashore. They attacked Haridasan when he was on his way home after work, hacking him to death. His brother and relatives, who live in the vicinity, reached the spot, but their attempts to save him went in vain. Suran, Haridasan’s brother, was also injured when he tried to stop the assailants. Haridasan’s leg was chopped off and severe wounds were inflicted all over his body. He was rushed to the Pariyaram Medical College soon after the assailants retracted in two bikes, but he could not be saved. His brother Suran was admitted to the Cooperative Hospital in Thalasserry.

Weapons used for the murder, including a hack-stick and an iron rod were later recovered from the spot. The inquest report suggested deep wounds inflicted by sharp weapons as the cause of death. More than 20 wounds were found on his body, according to the report.

Haridas’s body was cremated near his house, around 5.30 in the evening. Leaders of the CPI(M) in Kannur and hundreds of party workers attended the funeral.

CPI(M) Alleges Murder was Planned by RSS 

The CPI(M) has accused the RSS leadership of planning and executing the murder. The murder is a move by the RSS-BJP to convert Kerala into a ‘riot-ground’ and was executed by trained criminals, the Left party alleged. In a statement, the party said it had lost 22 activists to political murders since 2016 and accused RSS-BJP of killing 16 of them. The CPI(M) demanded stern action against the murderers and conspirators, along with a detailed inquiry into the alleged violent activities of the RSS in the state.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who also handles the state Home Ministry portfolio assured the party that all culprits would be brought to justice and urged everyone to stay vigilant against any attempt to disrupt harmony in the state.

Controversial Speech by BJP Leader

A recent speech by a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader from the region is being circulated in a purported video on social media. In the video, BJP Thalasserry block president K Lijesh is seen threatening the CPI(M) with serious repercussions following a conflict that arose during the local temple festival. “We know how to deal with such issues if the CPI(M) dares to touch our cadre. CPI(M) could easily understand if they take a look at the history of this region,” the BJP leader was heard as saying.

The CPI(M) has alleged that the speech was evidence of a conspiracy behind the murder of Haridas. However, the BJP state leadership has denied any involvement in the murder, with K. Surendran, state BJP president, terming the incident as “a local matter”.