Kerala: IUML activist hacked to death, Sec 144 imposed in Vadakara and Nadappuram areas

A 20-year-old IUML worker was allegedly hacked to death by some unidentified persons in Vadakara here, triggering tension in the area. Aslam was riding a two-wheeler when a group of persons who came in a car attacked him around 6 pm yesterday. He was admitted to a private hospital here but succumbed to injuries around 10 pm, police said. He was recently acquitted by a court in the case related to the murder of DYFI activist Shibin last year.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday condemned the murder, even as the opposition UDF of which IUML is a major partner protesting the killing. Talking to reporters, Vijayan described the murder as "unfortunate" and said a special team would probe it.

Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed on Saturday for the next ten days in seven police station limits in Vadakara and Nadappuram areas in the aftermath of the murder, police said. Police personnel have been deployed in strength at important locations. Besides, ten mobile units patrolling the areas, they said.

19-year-old Shibin was murdered allegedly by an armed group at Thooneri in Nadapuram in January last year. Police had booked Aslam and 16 others in connection with the murder. A special additional sessions court here in June this year had acquitted all the accused.