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TPC case probe revitalises police

TPC murder case investigation has revitalised the Kerala police.

Kozhikode: The TPC murder case investigation has revitalised the Kerala police. It is not always that they get a chance to emulate James Bond in real life.

When the pro-Marxist groups jeered at them as political puppets, they did their homework in disguise, perfected their ability to trek through slippery hillsides and set themselves on a mission that till then many thought was impossible.

They christened their work as ‘operation silent night’ and their target was the kingpins in the murder case, who reportedly were hiding at Mudakozhi hill in a party village.

The police were aware of the risks involved in going through that dangerous path, especially when the entire CPM cadre were agitated over the accusations against the CPM leaders in the case.

But they took a calculated risk as they were confident about their operational plans.

On June 12, 2012, a special team led by AIG North, Anup Kuruvila John, and DySP Shoukathali got into a pickup truck with policemen disguised as lorry workers and headed to Mudakozhi hills at midnight.

Here they did what many would shudder to do, trek through the treacherous path at midnight during incessant rain.

After spotting the tent and confirming that the persons sleeping in it were the accused, the police went for the jugular. The accused also reportedly retaliated with country bombs and revolvers.

But the police managed to nab the kingpins, Kodi Suni, Kirmani Manoj and Mohammed Shafi, and brought them to Vadakara, when the ever alert party workers were still fast asleep in their beds in the party village.

This operation was a shot in the arm for the police, who then went all the way to a non-descript village in Maharashtra-Goa border and picked up T.K. Rajeesh, another kingpin in the case.

The copyright of such adventures and drama was not left to the police alone in this case.

K. P. Kunhananthan, whom the police claim as the mastermind behind the murder, surprised everyone as he wore a bhurka to fool the policemen and surrendered at the court.

His escape, post-murder, was also a masterly operation as he managed to slip through the traps of police even when he allegedly used the Bolero jeep of senior CPM leader P.Jayarajan and remained absconding till he surrendered.


Next: CBI probe after seeking legal opinion: Oommen Chandy

CBI probe after seeking legal opinion: Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram/ Kozhikode: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has hailed the TPC case verdict saying that for the first time, those behind the conspiracy in a political murder had been convicted in the state.

When asked about a CBI probe into the conspiracy at a higher level, he said: “I can’t say anything at this stage. All these issues will be decided only after taking legal opinion. We have an open mind on the matter.’’

At the cabinet briefing, Chandy said the special court had found the CPM leaders of two districts guilty of conspiracy.

“The CPM claimed right from the beginning that it has no role in the murder. Let the party answer now,’’ he said and added that even the Opposition Leader had hinted at the party’s involvement.

How can the CPM wash its hands of the ghastly murder, he asked. He said the TPC murder probe and trial had created a record of sorts.

“I congratulate the Special Investigation Team, special prosecutor and his team for time-bound completion of the probe and trial which led to the verdict in record time.’’ He said some persons had been let off. “We honour the court verdict. We will take a decision on appeal after seeking legal opinion in the matter,’’ he said

Party will take action: VS Achuthanandan

Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan said if the CPM men are guilty in the TPC murder, the party will take suitable action against them.

“It is for the party to decide about those who have been found guilty. Let me get the full judgment. I will react after that,’’ he told reporters here.

Verdict vindicates party stand: Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram/ Kozhikode: CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday claimed that the court verdict had vindicated his party stand that it had no role in the TPC murder.

“We said right from the beginning that it was an unfortunate incident. The TPC murder was the gravest charge that the party faced. After this verdict now, nobody can say the CPM had hatched the conspiracy,’’ Vijayan told reporters in Delhi.

He said there was a deliberate attempt to implicate the CPM leaders. Of the total 76 accused, 20 were acquitted during trial, two while filing the chargesheet and the High Court had stayed proceedings against 15 others, including CPM state committee member K.K. Ragesh, he said.

Panur area committee member P.K. Kunhananthan’s conviction was unfortunate, he said. “He has no role in the incident. We will react after getting the details of the judgment and seeking legal opinion,’’ he said.

He evaded a direct reply on K.C. Ramachandran’s conviction.

I am not happy with verdict, says K.K. Rema

Kozhikode: “I am not happy with the verdict, but am not dissatisfied, said K.K. Rema, wife of T.P.Chandrasekharan, after the verdict pronounced by the Marad special court.

She told DC that the acquittal of P. Mohanan was not expected.

“The verdict has proved the CPM’s role in the murder,’’ she said and added that Kunhananthan, the mastermind behind all political killings of the party, had been convicted exposing the true colours of the CPM in the state.

On appealing to the higher court, she said that the future plans would be finalised after discussions with the RMP leadership.

( Source : dc )
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