Political murders: 9 lives lost in party wars this year

Kozhikode: Murder politics has reared its ugly head again in Malabar. Young lives are being lost one after another as the CPM and BJP continue revenge killings. When the number of political murders is six in Kannur this year, it is three in Kozhikode. All of them were either unemployed or doing 'odd jobs' for their parties engaged in a turf war. “The parties are cultivating followers as well as martyrs, who are a perennial source for fund collection. Every year on a regular basis, and sometimes during special occasions, they produce martyrs,” said a youngster from Thalassery.

While North Zone ADGP Sudesh Kumar visited Saturday’s killing spot and called for a collector-level all-party meeting in Kannur and Kozhikode, Kannur SP Sanjay Kumar Gurudin believes talks alone would not help ‘cultivate’ peace in the area. Though police was cautious in the last few days, starting from the Sree Krishna Jayanti celebrations, the political intervention after every arrest, ruined their efforts to bring peace. The police in Kannur is also disheartened after some of their precautionary arrests backfired, adding political colour to it. The imposing and withdrawal of KAAPA against DYFI leader T.C.V. Nandakumar also widened the gap between the party and district police chief.

“Police will investigate the case properly and ensure that real culprits are brought to the justice. But this violence has to come to an end, for that more proactive and stringent measures have to be taken by political leaderships. If the leadership is serious about maintaining peace, a certain message has to go down to the grassroots level to stop it.  The criminal act should not get support just because it is done in someone's interest,” said Mr Gurudin.

“On KAAPA, it was government’s decision, and I respect the decision. But as preventive measures,  KAAPA and security proceedings will be initiated against criminals in future. We will also keep knocking the doors of peace from all political parties. I also expect that civil society should come forward against this violence."

BJP, CPM hartals peaceful in Kannur

The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the BJP on Sunday protesting the murder of RSS worker P.M Vineesh (25), was generally peaceful in Kannur except for some minor issues. The cremation of Vineesh held at Thillankeri near Iritty in Kannur. Vineesh was hacked to death on Saturday night by a group of alleged CPM workers after crude bombs were reportedly hurled at DYFI leader Jijesh one hour before the incident. District leaders from BJP and RSS attended the funeral function of Vineesh.

Meanwhile, CPM also called for a hartal in Thillankeri panchayat following the alleged RSS attack on DYFI Kunderinjal unit vice-president Jijesh. He was attacked around 7.30 pm while travelling in his car. He was admitted to hospital with injuries. According to police, Jijesh is one of the accused in the incident where crude bombs were hurled at Muzhakkunnu RSS Karyavah Sujesh recently.

The attacks happened soon after the party leaders promised peace in an all-party meeting called by district collector Mir Mohammed Ali last week. “Today there are no issues reported from the place and the SP is also camping there. The police is also keeping strict vigil in the district. We will soon sit down and figure out the strategy of dealing with the issue,” said a higher official from district administration.

Misgivings prevail on political mood

While the district administration and police are clueless on how to diffuse the highly charged political situation here, observers fear both BJP and CPM going on a killing spree. The swiftness with which the BJP worker was killed at Thillankeri on Saturday night soon after the bomb attack on CPM workers has sent alarm bells across. The incident hints at a network of assassins already in place, and many believe a decisive step from CPM would only end the killings.

At the all-party meetings the district administration called in the recent past, both camps were adamant and were pointing fingers at each other for triggering violence. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and district secretary P. Jayarajan had made it clear beyond doubt that they would retaliate any attack. BJP leadership alleges that CPM is unleashing violence to terrorise its cadres switching sides. BJP state general secretary K Surendran told DC that CPM leaders were continuously making provocative speeches and steps in the district.

“During the Sri Krishna Jayanthi celebrations CPM units deliberately obtained permission from police to conduct programmes at the venues we planned,” he said, adding that pro-CPM police officers were placed at crucial positions to ensure it. “I believe the CPM would continue to kill as for them it is essential to check outflow of workers to BJP.” Poet Umesh Babu K.C. told DC that the murderous politics had created a network of political goons across Kannur district. “Any person could be killed at a phone call,” he said. “With the Congress losing its strength, the murder politics of CPM would result in a polarisation of the polity between BJP and CPM which can lead to endless political killings.”