Kodiyeri claims Chithara killing reprisal for Periya

Kollam: Politicising the killing of a septuagenarian in Chithara, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday said it was a reprisal for Periya twin murder, a claim his family rejected.

His statement was in support of the claim raised by local party leaders earlier enforcing a flash hartal.

The family of the deceased dismissed the allegations saying the murder was following a petty argument and was not a case of the previous enmity.

Muhammad Basheer, 72, of Sajeena Manzil, Mahadevarkunnu, Vala-vupacha was stabbed to death following an argument over selling cassava by Shajahan, 63, of Mudeena Manzil, who is also the former’s neighbour.

The incident took place on Saturday evening after Mr Basheer refused to sell cassava while returning from a local market. A verbal brawl later turned into a physical assault which the local people intervened and stopped.

Mr Shajahan followed Mr Basheer to his house where he stabbed him nine times from behind. Residents detained him and handed over to Kadakkal police.

According to police, Mr Shajahan has a record of previous crimes.

Mr Basheer succumbed to his injuries in the taluk hospital.

He was unmarried and was living with his sister. His relatives said the murder had no connection with politics, though he was a CPM branch committee member.

The CPM alleged that the murder was pre-planned by the Congress party.

Meanwhile, the Congress party alleged the CPM was trying to take advantage of the fight between neighbours to gain political mileage.