To commemorate Abhimanyu - the slain SFI activist, who was studying in Maharaja's college - a library is being set up in his hometown in Vattavada, Idukki, in his name. The library is slated to be named 'Abhimanyu Maharaja's Library' and as soon as the decision was announced, calls started pouring in, promising books for the library.
"We initially planned a small library. However, considering the sheer number of books that have been promised, we have decided to use up one half of our community hall to set up a much bigger library. We are positive of opening the new library within the next 30 days," R Nandakumar, Secretary of Vattavada Panchayat told TNM.
According to, Vattavada Panchayat president P Ramraj, over 2 lakh books have been promised to Abhimanyu Maharaja's Library. The library will function on a 2000 sq foot space on the third floor of the Panchayat office.
"Abhimanyu was a boy who relentlessly engaged with our panchayat activities, by working for people's welfare and helping with planning different activities. He would even help those who come to the Panchayat office by drafting petitions for them. He had planned to go out, study and make it big. It saddens us to hear about his death and we decided to name the library after him," Nandakumar said.
On July 8, Abhimanyu a 19-year-old student and SFI (student wing of CPI(M)) activist from Maharaja's College in Ernakulam was stabbed in the heart and killed by Campus Front members (the student wing of PFI), due to a clash between the two groups.
The clash was over painting on the campus walls to welcome the new batch of students. Following Abhimanyu's death, the state has cracked down on Popular Front of India workers in the state. Police have nabbed 8 PFI workers including Anoop, Nizar, Bilal and Riyaz. Another accused - Adhil, a Campus Front member too - was nabbed on Sunday.
The police had also questioned two SDPI workers - Riyas and Niyas - who were earlier acquitted in the Professor TJ Joseph hand-chopping case.
Meanwhile, help has been pouring in for Abhimanyu's family in the form of financial aid. The owners of two private bus in the Nedumkandam-Erattupetta route in the state have donated an entire collection to his family too.