KANNUR: At the end of the day, it just adds to the lifeless figures in the long list of political violence. CPM worker Preman from Chittaripparamba, the fifth person to be murdered since December 1, 2013, is the latest victim of the ruthless political violence that seems to have no respite here. The death toll goes up, the perpetrators settle scores, and the society gradually loses its sensitivity.
The five months starting from September 1 last year, the day when RSS leader E Manoj was brutally murdered at Kizhakke Kathirur here, saw a spate of sporadic violence in different parts in the district that were considered ‘normal’ given the infamous history of political hostility here. But, taking stock of the incidents would present a scary picture, splattered with blood all over.
It was riot in Kannur for the past few months, subdued but dreadful and almost routine. The gangs start their raids when sundown. Hurls bombs at houses and offices, throw stones at reading rooms, set them on fire and hack members and sympathisers of rival parties. But they seem to be on guard not to inflict lethal injuries that might lead to death.
As per the data with the police, 183 persons were injured in political clashes in the district from September 2014 to the end of January this year. Six months saw four deaths in political violence. Many people were maimed.
More than 150 houses were damaged in bomb attacks, arson and in stone pelting. Many party offices, reading rooms and libraries were attacked during this period, as a token of revenge. Nearly hundred vehicles, including cars, autorikshaws and motorbikes were set on fire in the dead of the night. The statistics show a steady increase in political clashes since September 1 last year with the total number of registered cases going up from 13 to 39 in January this year. The total number of injured persons reached 50 from 14 persons injured in politicalviolence in September last. ‘’More than 400 of our workers were injured in attacks by the CPM in five months,’’ alleges RSS leader Valsan Thillankery.