Kerala: Congress decries murder of party functionary, accuses CPI(M) of carrying out 'Taliban-model' attack

Congress today sharpened the attack on ruling CPI(M) over the murder of a Youth Congress functionary in Kannur and alleged that Taliban model violence was carried out on their party worker.
As part of intensifying the agitation against the 'delay' in arresting those behind the murder of Youth Congress functionary Shuhaib, senior party leader K Sudhakaran will observe a 48-hour fast from Monday.

The Congress also said that there was a mystery behind the alleged grant of parole to 19 murder case accused before Shuhaib was hacked to death at Mattanur in February 13.
"It was a Taliban model attack and also can be assumed that it was carried out with the knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership', Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters here today.

He said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's silence on the murder was not only surprising, but also creates fear.
Vijayan should relinquesh the home portfolio as he had not allowed the police to function in the state, Chandy said.

A total of 22 political killings had taken place in the state after the CPI(M) led LDF came to power, he said, adding that the latest killing of Youth Congress worker was the tenth in Chief Minister's district Kannur alone.
Kannur district Congress committee president Sateeshan Pacheni and Youth Congress workers had observed a 24 hour fast earlier, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

Announcing the protest, Sudhakaran said he would launch the agitation in front of the Kannur Collectorate at 10 AM on Monday, and if the accused were not brought to book by then, he would continue the fast.
Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala lashed out at the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and alleged that 19 murder case accused had been out on parole when Shuhaib was killed.

Those out on parole included Kodi Suni and T K Rajeesh and Anoop, who are accused in the 2012 murder of RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan, Chennithala told reporters.

The parole of some of the accused had also been extended he said, releasing the list of the accused who were out during that time.

There were 31 hack injuries below the knee of Shuhaib and the brutality was similar to that inflicted on Chandrasekharan when he was murdered, he said.

The statements of the victim's parents had not been taken so far and the police team had arrived at the scene of the crime after about one and half hours, he alleged.
Chennithala also attacked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for not condemning the incident.

This would only help in encouraging the accused, he said.
Meanwhile, Kannur Superintendent of Police, Siva Vikaram said there was no lapse in the probe.
"Investigation is going ahead and a special team is probing the case. I am satisfied with the investigation", he told reporters.

Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the state home secretary with regard to the request by Congress leader V M Sudheeran for compensation to the family of the slain Congress worker.