KANNUR: Three CPM activists were attacked and stabbed in Mattannur on Sunday night. The victims, identified as Sunobh, 35, Rijil, 30, and Latheesh, 36, who are affiliated with the CPM’s Idavelikkal branch, were attacked at the Ayyallur area in Mattannur around 10 pm on Sunday.
A group of 12 individuals targeted the CPM workers while they were sitting at a bus shelter in Ayyallur. The victims sustained serious injuries and were initially taken to the Kannur AKG Cooperative Hospital. Sunobh, who is in critical condition after suffering a deep stab wound from an axe, was later transferred to a private hospital for specialised medical care.
CPM leaders said that RSS workers were behind the attack. CPM area secretary M Ratheesh said, “RSS criminals are responsible for the attack. Several of the accused have prior criminal records. Two of them were recently released from jail. There was no provocation for the attack.”
After the assault, the assailants fled from the scene leaving behind their motorcycle. CPM district secretary T V Rajesh and other party leaders visited the injured at the hospital.
The police arrested Adarsh, Sreekkuttan, Vijin V K, Nithin A K, Harilal, Suji, Ranjith, Rajesh, Akshay, Shylesh and Vinish, who are reported to be active RSS members.
Speaking to TNIE, Kannur ACP Venugopal K V said: “The first five accused were apprehended early morning. A case has been registered under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) based on the statements given by the injured. Most of the accused are RSS -BJP workers. We suspect that political rivalry led to the attack.”