Seeking a CBI probe into the death of Youth Congress leader M Shuhaib, senior Congress leader K Sudhakaran’s fast entered the ninth day on Monday, while Shuhaib’s family says they will also begin a hunger strike until their demand is met.
Shuhaib’s father Mohammed and sister Sumayya told the media that they will sit on a fast until a CBI probe is initiated in the case. Sudhakaran, meanwhile, told media from his protest pandal in Kannur that the LDF government is opposing the CBI inquiry because it feared that the role of CPI (M)’s Kannur district leaders in the murder will be exposed. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is expected to visit Sudhakaran on Tuesday.
Twenty-nine-year-old Shuhaib from Mattannur in Kannur, was hacked to death by unidentified men on February 12.
Sudhakaran Fasting in Kannur, Pic Courtesy: SK Mohan
Won’t recommend for CBI probe, CM
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Viijayan told Assembly on Monday, “The police inquiry in the case was satisfactory. Action will be taken in the case without favour to anyone. "The argument that those who have been booked in the case are dummy accused is baseless. The ongoing probe is just."
He also said, “The government, soon after the murder, directed the police to take stern action against the culprits. A Special Investigation Team was formed under Kannur Range IG. The SIT was formed considering the demand of the opposition as well. There is no need to impose Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case and there is no need for CBI inquiry.”
The Chief Minister was responding to the Calling Attention Motion of Congress MLA Sunny Joseph.
Opposition uproar in the Assembly
Soon after the CM’s announcement rejecting a CBI probe, the first day of the 14th session of the Assembly was marked by opposition protest and uproar.
Legislators in the opposition protested by sitting down in the well of the Assembly, holding placards and banners with pictures of Shuhaib. With the opposition raising slogans and refusing to relent, the Speaker initially cancelled the question hour. The opposition also raised the death of Adivasi youth Madhu and Youth League Worker Safeer. The sit-in protest of the Opposition lasted for an hour.
The Speaker rejected their demand to discuss the issue by halting the Assembly proceedings. The opposition was, however, firm on their stand and the Assembly was eventually adjourned.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala called the CM’s decision to not call for a CBI probe anti-democratic.
“There is fear that the conspiracy in the case will be exposed if CBI probes the case. Now that the accused in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case are out on bail and there is a similarity between the modus operandi of TP and Shuhaib’s murder, it makes us sceptical about the crime," Ramesh Chennithala told reporters outside the Assembly.
Meanwhile, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony also said that the government is not recommending CBI probe as it feared that the role of the CPI (M) conspiracy will be exposed in the case. The Congress led United Democratic Front, which is in the opposition, is holding a meeting on Monday evening to discuss further course of action on the issue.