Kannur arrests upset RSS, CPM

Kannur: The latest arrests of two RSS workers in the murder of CPM Kuthuparamba local committee member Kuzhichalil Mohanan has sparked widespread dissent at the grassroots level. Though the police claimed they were made tracking mobile phone, the ordinary workers go much beyond their version.
Already, the delay in disclosing the identity of Rahul (22) and Sayooj (22) had sparked doubts that they were "arranged". The police was also under immense pressure following the widespread violence in the area after the murder.

On Thursday, CPM Pinarayi area secretary K. Manoharan said they were not ready to swallow police statements. But they are also not dismissing them altogether. “We are not saying they were framing false charges. However, we have certain doubts over the last arrests for direct involvement. The party has decided to investigate on its own,” he said. Workers allege ‘agreement’ at the top while they are made scapegoats. However, they are scared to speak out fearing attack and ostracisation.

The two were produced before First Class Judicial Magistrate, Koothuparamba, and remanded on Wednesday. Already, five men, including three who had conspired the murder, were arrested. Investigating officers say their identity could not be revealed in the beginning not to affect identification parade. However, they were reserved as to why such a rule was not followed in any of the recent arrests.

BJP district president V. Sathyaprakasan dismissed the knowledge and involvement of the party in the murder and said they were not clear if the duo themselves surrendered. Mohanan was hacked to death in a toddy shop, where he was working, on October 9. On Tuesday, the police also recovered a sword and four crude bombs from Paduvilakkavu. They had registered cases against seven RSS workers from the same area.