Kerala: Young CPI(M) Member Brutally Hacked to Death Allegedly by RSS-BJP Activists

A young leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], from Thrissur district of Kerala was hacked to death on Sunday late night (October 4) by right-wing activists, reportedly linked with the Bharatiya Janata Party and allied sangh parivar organisations. The murdered activist Sanoop U. (26), branch secretary of CPI(M) Puthussery Colony in Chovvannur Panchayat, was attacked along with three other young workers of CPI(M) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

The attack took place at around 11.30 PM on Sunday night at Chittilangode near Eyyal. Three others- workers, Vipin, Jithu, and Abhijit- who are critically injured in the attack, have been admitted to hospital.

So far, four activists of RSS, BJP and Bajrang Dal- Nandan, Satheesh, Sreerag and Abhay Raj- have been identified in connection with the brutal murder of Sanoop. According to the police, all four of the identified accused have criminal background and Nandan stabbed Sanoop. Reportedly, a gang of eight carried out this attack.

Police has also found a car near Erumappetty Taluk Hospital, which was used by people involved in the attack.

The attackers reportedly targeted Sanoop and others while they were returning after making arrangement for food which DYFI distributes at Thrissur Medical College Hospital every day. DYFI Chovvannur area committee had the charge of food distribution on Monday.

In all medical colleges and district hospitals across the state, food kits are being distributed for poor patients and their bystanders by DYFI. Various local committees of DYFI take turn each day and the members of DYFI collect food packets from households that come under their area and these collected food packets are being distributed at hospitals.

Despite, the murder, state secretary of DYFI, AA Raheem said, “His comrades will ensure that the food packets are being distributed as planned.”

A C Moideen, the minister of Local Self Governance, who hails from Thrissur visited the area and pointed out that the prime accused in the case are associated with the RSS and the Bajrang Dal.

"The prime accused and others are associated with the RSS and Bajrang Dal. Police are probing the matter. Those in hospital have suffered multiple stab wounds. This is a stronghold of CPI(M). The party has been fighting gangs involved in drug peddling. We suspect the RSS is engaged in protecting these peddlers," Minister said.

Also read: Protests Across Kerala Against Twin Murders of DYFI Activists Allegedly by Congress

Since, the last two months, the state has witnessed four political killings including that of Sanoop and all of them belong to CPI(M) and DYFI. Of these, three were killed allegedly by members of the Congress.

On August 30, a day prior to Onam, two DYFI members, Mithilaj (30) and Haq Muhammed (24), who also belonged to Communist Party of India (Marxist) were hacked to death allegedly by Congress men in Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram district. As per reports, one of the deceased was stabbed more than 70 times.

Mithilaj and Haq were attacked using sharp-edged weapons at around 11.30 p.m. While Mithilaj died on the spot, Muhammed lost his life while being taken to hospital. According to the police, they were attacked while they were going to Mithilaj's home on a motorbike.

Before that on August 18, 35-year-old Siyad, a fish seller, was stabbed to death at Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. Siyad, who was active in COVID-19 first line treatment centres and other relief activities, was returning from a quarantine centre after delivering food for the inmates. After the murder of Siyad, his friend Rajeesh was targeted and attacked at his house. He sustained severe head injuries.

In less than two months, four young men, who had actively participated in COVID-19 relief work as well as flood relief work have been targeted by BJP and Congress.

CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan lashed out at the RSS-BJP and the Congress and asked the parties not to engage in violent politics.

"The murder of Sanoop at Kunnamkulam was done by Sangh Parivar members, including a former Congress worker, who joined the BJP recently. The BJP and the Congress have become a safe haven for criminals. The leaders of those parties are using their criminal activists to eliminate political enemies," Balakrishnan said in a statement.