Police sources say the attack on C Biju was led by a group of men who came in a Toyota Innova.
The BJP has called for a strike in Kerala's Kannur after a 32-year-old BJP activist was hacked to death in Payyannur last evening. Police sources say the attack on C Biju was led by a group of men who came in a Toyota Innova. The attackers have not been identified yet.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reacted to the incident and said, "What happened yesterday was unfortunate. It was an isolated incident. It shouldn't act as a hurdle in the peace process. I appeal to all to maintain peace. The police is probing the incident and the guilty will be punished."
When asked if the murder was a political retaliatory killing, senior police officials said the details will be known after the probe. They are trying to track down an eyewitness to get the details of the case. The security in the area has been tightened to avoid escalation.
C Biju, was an accused in the murder case of a CPM activist Dhanaraj, who was killed outside his home in Payyannur, by men on three bikes in July last year.
The killing has drawn a strong reaction from Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan, who said Kannur should be declared a "disturbed area" and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA should be imposed in the district.
"Since the government has failed to curb the violence, AFSPA should be imposed in Kannur to maintain law-and-order," he said, adding that a memorandum would be submitted to the Governor in this regard.
"CPI(M) workers are unleashing violence against their political rivals and even the chief minister has failed to control them," alleged Mr Rajasekharan.