Kerala: Bomb Hurled at CPI-M State Headquarters, Protests Erupt Across State

Thiruvananthapuram: 

Widespread protests erupted across the state shortly after a bomb was hurled at AKG Centre, the state headquarters of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M). On Thursday at 11.30 p.m, an unidentified person  on a motorbike hurled a bomb at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

"I heard a loud noise. Like a building collapsing or so," PK Sreemathi, CPI(M) central committee member and former minister, who was inside the office when the blast occurred, told media in her first response.

A protest march organised by CPI(M) Kattappana Area Committee, Idukki district.

"I was watching the news on TV when a terrible sound shook all of us. When we looked through the window, we saw fumes rising. The explosive hit the entrance and blasted there; that is why the attempt failed," Sreemathi added.

The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Sakhare informed the media that the police had obtained more details about the person who hurled the bomb at the AKG Centre. The ADGP added that the police officers were deployed in various groups to arrest the accused, and he will be arrested soon.

Protest by CITU in Ernakulam

Left Democratic Front convener and former minister EP Jayarajan, who resides in an apartment opposite the state committee office, visited the spot minutes after the attack. He alleged the Congress party's involvement in the attack.

"The attack would not have taken place without the knowledge of Congress leaders, given the violent, provocative tactics that they have been following recently," the senior CPI(M) leader alleged.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the state committee office on Friday morning. In a statement released later, Vijayan condemned the attack on AKG Centre, terming it "an attempt to create provocation and disrupt peace." He said that strict instructions have been given to the police to find the culprits and bring them to justice.

"I urge all those who love the party and the Left movement to recognise the ulterior motive behind the attack and to be careful not to fall for any provocation," the Kerala CM said in his statement.

The CPI(M) state secretariat strongly condemned the bomb attack on their office and called for peaceful mass protests across the state.

Protest by CPI(M) Wayanad

"There have been organised efforts with the help of a section of the media to unite all individuals and groups that share anti-Left sentiments in the state. They are trying to provoke party comrades. Attacking party offices, burning party flags, attacking the Chief Minister on an aircraft, and attacking the party's state centre itself are all part of these tactics," the statement released by CPI(M) alleged.

The CPI(M) also noted that the United Democratic Front had not even condemned the attack on the Left party's headquarters.

"Moreover, a statement from the KPCC President enables the attackers. Instead of condemning violence, their policy is to encourage it. Campaign and mass demonstrations should be organised peacefully all over the state to isolate such criminal groups which have clear political motives," the CPI(M) statement said.

K Sudhakaran, President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, had earlier alleged that the bomb attack at the AKG Centre was a "political drama" set up by CPI(M) leader EP Jayarajan.

The CPI(M), Democratic Youth Federation of India and other Left organisations held protest gatherings and demonstrations across the state against the attack on AKG Centre. A DYFI demonstration started from the AKG Centre about an hour after the attack saw hundreds of youth parading the city with slogans condemning the violence. Protests were also held late in the night across the city.

District units of the CPI(M) organised protest rallies on Friday morning. A large number of party cadres and sympathisers joined the demonstration to register their protest.

Protest organised by CITU in Ernakulam

DYFI All India President AA Rahim MP addressed the massive demonstration organised by the youth organisation in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday morning. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) condemned the attack and organised several protest gatherings. In a protest organised by CITU in Ernakulam, a large number of head-load workers marched in blue uniforms. Party units from the local level have called for more protests in all major state centres, including the rural regions. Youth and student wings have also urged all its units to join the protests.