Former DYFI worker fears for life, seeks protection

KOZHIKODE: As the CPM is taking up new initiatives like palliative care and environment protection to regain its mass support, a former comrade has been appealing to its leadership to let him live. V.T. Ashokan, 44,  former DYFI member in Mokeri, says that the CPM has been hunting him down ever since he raised his voice of dissidence.

“Nothing has changed in the CPM as purging dissent  is the norm,” said Ashokan who is undergoing treatment in a  hospital here after he was  hacked at Malaancheri in Mokeri on the night of April 7 allegedly by an eight-member CPM gang. 

His left palm was cut off and the other one and both the legs bear the marks of  sword attacks. Ashokan, a mason, was a  hardcore cadre who was born and brought up in a red bastion. 

He  was not even admitted to the branch of the CPM, though he was physically ready to tread the extra mile the party dictated. “When BJP worker Kumaran was killed in Vellikulangara on November 26, 1995, I was arrested as the fourth accused,” Ashokan told DC.

Meanwhile,  he  led a protest march demanding an Assembly  seat for Mr  V.S Achuthanandan in 2006. “This invited the wrath of the local leaders. During the trial of the murder case, the CPM legally helped all the accused except me,”   he said.

Ashokan was remanded in custody and sent to Kannur central jail. “The others, led by  fifth accused Koorikadan Suresh,  brother of A.K Lathika MLA, attacked me inside the jail.  I was sheltered in the 10th block meant for mentally challenged inmates,” Ashokan recalled.

A few years ago,  he joined the Congress. “My active participation in marriages and funeral functions has irked the leadership.  It  cannot tolerate another party worker gaining the goodwill of the people,” he said.

CPM district secretary P. Mohanan said  the allegations were baseless. “Ashokan was not even a party member.  This is part of the attempts to defame the party,” he said.

Nadapuram DySP Prajeesh Thottathil said that an inquiry into the attack on Ashokan was going on and that one of the two assailants, who was identified by Ashokan, was not involved in the incident.  A case has been registered for attempt to murder.