KOTTAYAM: Coming down heavily on the CPM for physically targeting its political rivals, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office for ‘delaying’ the arrest of the culprits involved in the murder of Youth Congress leader Shuhaib in Mattannur. “It is suspected the arrest of the culprits is being delayed owing to the interference of the CM’s Office. Substantiating this, no arrests have happened even after five days of the murder,” Chennithala told reporters here on Saturday.
Chennithala alleged the Chief Minister who made strong statements against political killings in the Assembly is keeping mum on the murder of Shuhaib. “The brutal incident happened just 10 km away from the residence of the Chief Minister in Kannur. However, he has not visited the house of Shuhaib yet,” he added.
He urged the Chief Minister to intervene and give direction to the police to take action against the persons involved in the killing of the Youth Congress functionary. Even an SP-level officer could not function independently in Kannur following the political intervention by the ruling CPM, Chennithala said.
The ruling CPM was becoming a ‘terror outfit’. “ It is red-saffron terror that prevails in Kerala. It is a very dangerous situation.The jails in Kannur have become safe havens for CPM goons. These gangs conspire inside the jail and hacks people to death outside. Shuhaib was under the scanner of the CPM. A few CPM members had openly threatened to kill Shuhaib.
There is clear conspiracy behind the murder of Shuhaib. Hence the police should investigate this angle too along with the involvement of the CPM Kannur leadership behind the murder,” Chennithala said.
The Opposition leader also favoured a CBI probe into the incident. As part of intensifying the agitation against the ‘delay’ in arresting those behind the murder of Shuhaib, senior Congress leaders will take part in the ongoing agitation in Kannur on February 22.
Chennithala had earlier alleged that there was a mystery behind the granting of parole to 19 murder case accused before Shuhaib was hacked to death. The Opposition leader said there were reports that the case against CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son in Dubai has been settled now.
“Earlier the Arab national himself had complained about the cheating of Rs 13 crore. Now he says he has no complaints. How can this complaint be settled without paying the money? he asked.
‘Mani can come to UDF anytime’
Responding to the queries on inducting K M Mani to the UDF, Chennithala said the UDF has good relationship with the Kerala Congress and Mani. “Mani can come to the UDF fold anytime. The real picture of the bar bribery case has been exposed now with the revelations of bar owner Biju Ramesh. The inquiry during the time of UDF regime itself found that Mani was innocent. I hope Mani would come back to the UDF,” said Chennithala.