Two days after the death of a CPI (M) worker of Chithara Panchayat at Kadaykkal in Kollam, the police are yet to identify the real motive behind the murder. The motive in this case assumes special significance as the accused is a Congress worker.
The CPI (M) has claimed that the crime was committed as a result of political vengeance, following the murder of two Youth Congress workers of Periya in Kasargode recently. A local CPI (M) leader, Peethambaran is the key accused in the case.
If the murder was politically motivated, the CPI (M)- which has been forced on the defensive after the twin murders in Kasargode, could silence those who criticise them in the name of political violence.
AM Basheer, a native of Chithara panchayat near Kadaykkal in Kollam district, was a CPI (M) worker and district committee member, who was stabbed to death on Saturday allegedly by his acquaintance Shajahan.
70-year-old Basheer was a tapioca seller and 63-year-old Shajahan is a daily wage labourer.
“There was previous enmity between the two. On the day of the crime, there was a scuffle between them where Basheer allegedly hit Shajahan with a stone. Shajahan got injured in the attack. Basheer was an active worker of the CPI (M) and Shajahan used to work for the Congress. But we need to verify if he is still active in the party,” Circle Inspector of Kadaykkal police station, VS Pradeep Kumar told TNM.
While the police haven't yet collected any evidence to prove that the murder was politically motivated, they haven’t rejected that claim either. "The investigation is just a day old. We have to look into the other aspects as well", the CI said.
However, in the statement given by Basheer's brother Salahudheen, he has alleged that Shajahan had political animosity against Basheer. This has been recorded in the FIR as well.
Salahudheen told the police that Shajahan had once challenged Basheer saying that that he would face the consequences if he dared to act against a Congress worker.
On Saturday, while Basheer was returning from the market, Shajahan was sitting in front of his house. A verbal spat ensued after Shajahan said something to Basheer in a belittling manner. Basheer in turn, it is believed, called Shajahan by his nickname which didn’t sit well with him.
"This might have also provoked Shajahan and he stabbed him with the intention to kill, the officer said.
Shajahan is a drunkard. There was a complaint lodged with the police against him for stabbing his brother Sulaiman, a year ago. The police didn't take any action then as Sulaiman later withdrew the complaint. Police said that they will soon begin the probe to clarify if there was political vendetta behind the crime.
Meanwhile, CPI (M) leader and Minister for Industries EP Jayarajan reportedly said that it is a political killing. "There is no doubt for anyone that it was a murder. It is a political killing and the Periya murder was like this," he said.