KANNUR: In a major breakthrough, the police identified the seven-member gang involved in the murder of RSS leader Choorakadu Biju at Payyannur.
According to the police, the gang was led by two Ramanthali natives - Anoop and Raneesh. Sources said the murder was a retaliatory act to avenge the killing of CPM worker C V Dhanaraj at Payyannur, last year.
On Sunday morning, the police seized the Innova car suspected to be used by the gang. The vehicle was seized from Maniyara near Payyannur. The owner and the driver of the car were taken into custody.
However, sources said the car was taken on rent by the assailants and the owner and the driver were not involved in the murder. It was recovered after examining the CCTV footage collected from the shops and establishments near the murder spot. The vehicle was later examined by forensic experts.
“The murder was executed by a seven-member gang. A few members of the gang have been identified and they will be arrested soon,” said an officer.
On Saturday, the police registered a case against seven CPM activists in connection with the murder.
According to Payyannur police, the case was registered based on a complaint filed by Pandaravalappil Rajesh, who was riding the bike when Biju was attacked. As per his statement, the Innova car knocked down the bike and four members of the gang hacked Biju. Rajesh said a gang member threatened him while two others remained in the vehicle.
Biju, an RSS mandal karyavahak was hacked to death at Palakode in Ramanthali panchayat near Payyannur on Friday. Police said Biju was riding pillion on Rajesh’s bike when the gang pounced on them near Palakode bridge at around 4 pm.
BJP threatening Governor: Kodiyeri
Alleging the BJP was threatening Governor P Sathasivam for not toeing its line, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the the demand for invoking AFPSA in Kannur will not be accepted by anyone with common sense.