KANNUR: Dismissing the claims of the CPM that they had no role in the murder of BJP worker E. Santhosh in Andallur, near Dharmadam, on Wednesday, the police registered the arrest of six of its workers in the area, including a local DYFI leader, on Saturday. State level leaders including secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had claimed that the party had no role in it. Those arrested are Midhun K. (27), son of Raveendran, Prajul P. (25), son of Jayarajan, Shamil M.K. (26), son of Maheendran, Rijesh K. (27), son of Sreedharan, Ajesh P. (25), son of Prakash and Rohin (27), son of Moosa.
Mr Rohin is the village secretary of the DYFI. Police said more CPM workers would be held soon. Two more CPM men from Andallur and Chirakkuni area, Vaishnav and Neethul, are suspected to be in their custody. It is known that all the accused were traced within two hours after committing the crime and the incident is a case of clear political rivalry, said Thalassery DySP Prince Abraham.
A special team led by district police chief K.P. Philip is probing the conspiracy behind the murder.
According to the police, the clashes in Brennen College, Thalassery, on Tuesday, between SFI and BJP workers led to the murder. A Congress worker, Chrathazha Veettil Ranjith, was injured during an attack on a group of BJP workers earlier on Wednesday. Mr Ranjith is receiving treatment at Indira Gandhi Hospital, Thalassery. Seven cases were registered in Dharmadam area, soon after the murder, where bikes were burnt and a Seva Mandir and CPM office near Palayad, were attacked.
