KANNUR: The turf war between the BJP and the CPM in Kannur, Kerala has moved into prisons as well. A BJP supporter who was arrested and remanded for the murder of CPM leader K Mohanan last week was beaten up in the district jail, allegedly by CPM activist this morning.
The BJP’s former Kannur district president K Ranjith said the party supporter, Navajeet, was attacked in jail by a CPM worker who is under trial for the earlier murder of a BJP worker, E Manoj. Navajeet is said to have suffered severe injuries to his ears.
Ranjith said he visited Navajeet after the latter was brought to the jail two days ago. He had been picked up by the police from his house and kept in protective custody lest he be attacked by CPM workers out for revenge for the murder of K Mohanan. However, Navaneet turned from a protectee to a suspect in the murder and was arrested.
Frictions between BJP and CPM workers heated up in jail, and a few prisoners threw mud in the food of their rivals. Anticipating trouble, Navajeet was shifted to the district jail, said Ranjith.
This morning, Navajeet was stopped by a prisoner while he was with two others arrested in the Mohanan murder case, Rupesh and Rahul. While Rupesh went to the doctor's room, Navajeet and Rahul were stopped outside, and Navajeet was thrashed, Ranjith said.
A complaint has been registered with the jail superintendent. “This is not the first time that such attacks have happened in this jail,” Ranjith said.
The jail officials have promised action against Navaneet’s attackers, provided they are identified.