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

In less than a month, 3 DYFI members have been killed allegedly by Congress activists.

DYFI Protest

Kozhikode: Youth across Kerala observed Tuesday as ‘Black Day’ in protest against the brutal killing of two activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).  On Sunday midnight, two DYFI members, Mithilaj (30) and Haq Muhammed (24), who also belongs to Communist Party of India (Marxist) were hacked to death allegedly by Congress men.

On Monday, when the state was all set to celebrate Onam, the harvest festival, people woke up the murder of two young men in Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram district. As per latest 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.

On Tuesday, youth under the banner of DYFI, observed protested against the “political killings of Congress” in the state. Expressing the anger against the killings, people also held torchlight protests. More than five lakh torches were lit across the state and protests were held following the COVID-19 protocol.

Kannur Protest

During the protest, DYFI state secretary AA Rahim said “Midilaj and Haq have been actively been involving in the local issues. They were very much part of the Recycle Kerala campaign; they were involving in the flood relief activities; they were the part of COVID quarantine centre’s activities. Now the Congress leaders are trying to tarnish the image of our beloved comrades” alleging that Congress was behind the killings.

In less than a month, three DYFI members have allegedly been killed by Congress activists. 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.

DYFI Protest

On Tuesday, Kerala Industries Minister E P Jayarajan alleged that the accused in the killing of two DYFI workers had "close links" with a Congress MP, a charge rejected by the latter who dared the government to prove it. Police said four people had been arrested in connection with the twin murders.

A day after CPI(M) state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged a high-level conspiracy by Congress leadership behind the attack, Jayarajan claimed the accused had close links with Congress Attingal MP Adoor Prakash.

He demanded an investigation into the MP's role in the killing of the two DYFI activists. "Adoor Prakash has close links with the accused in the Venjaramood double murder case of the DYFI activists. It seems like the accused have contacted the MP through phone after the murder and his role in the conspiracy should also be probed," he told reporters after visiting the houses of the deceased.

DYFI Protest Kerala

Dismissing the charge, Prakash accused the Left party of trying to derail the probe and challenged the state government to prove it. "The state government has the police and all the latest technology. I challenge them to prove the allegation. They must not use the police to influence the probe," he told PTI.

Meanwhile, local TV channels aired a voice clip purportedly of one of the accused alleging that Prakash had helped them in a previous case involving the hacking of another DYFI worker. Police said they suspected rivalry between CPI(M) and the Congress workers as the reason for the killings that triggered tension in the area on Onam day. CCTV visuals aired by TV channels showed a gang of assailants attacking the duo.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the Congress had no role in the killings. "The Congress is not a party of assailants,” he said on Monday.

Terming it a "heinous attack", CPI(M) state secretariat member K N Balagopal alleged the Congress leadership was responsible for the killings.

"Two DYFI workers were brutally killed on the eve of Thiruvonam day. It is evident that the Congress, instead of encouraging democratic discourse, is encouraging violence against CPI(M)-DYFI workers in the state. We strongly condemn this heinous attack on DYFI activists," Balagopal said.

(With Inputs from PTI)

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