KANNUR: Five CPM workers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering BJP worker Nikhil (22) at Thalasserry in 2008. K. Sreejith (39), V. Binoy (31), K.P Manaf (42), P.P. Sunil Kumar (51) and C.K. Marshood (34), all natives of Thalaserry and nearby areas are the convicts as per the order of Thalasserry Additional District Sessions Court on Monday. Two other accused in the case were let free for lack of evidence. The eighth accused, M. Sasidharan died during the trial period. IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 341 and 302 (read with section 149) were slapped on the accused.
The prosecution had produced 67 records and 16 evidence materials in the court. According to the prosecution, the incident happened on March 5, 2008 at Vadakkumbad Koolibazar in Thalasserry. Nikhil was forced off from a lorry and hacked to death. The murder was part of the series of political killings between CPM and BJP that occurred during the period.
