Two days after a CPI (M) worker was allegedly killed by RSS workers in Kanur, Remith -a BJP worker- was killed at Pinarayi in the district on Wednesday.
According to reports, an eight-member gang came in a van and assaulted him with sharp weapons, causing grievous injuries to his neck, stomach and chest. The deceased Remith -a taxi driver- was killed near the Pinarayi petrol pump in retaliation for the murder of CPI (M) Branch Secretary Mohanan, a couple of days ago.
Prohibitory orders have been passed in the Koothuparambu police limits and other politically sensitive areas in the district to prevent further escalation of violence in the area. Meanwhile, the BJP has called for a state-wide hartal to protest against the murder.
According to local reports, Remith’s father Uttaman had died as a result of political violence eight years ago at Chavarasseri in Kannur.
CPI (M) leader Mohanan had succumbed to his injuries while he was being taken to the Thalassery Co-operative Hospital after he was attacked by a group of people, who came in a Maruti Omni van, armed with weapons.
The CPI (M) had then alleged that six RSS workers were involved in the incident and had declared a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the district on Tuesday.
Both of these murders took place in the assembly constituency of Dharmadom represented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Political violence is no stranger to Kannur with incidents of frequent scuffles between the CPI (M) and the BJP/RSS party cadres being reported from the district. On July 12, one BJP and one CPI (M) worker were killed within a span of 12 hours, in what was seen as a revenge killing.
(With IANS inputs)