KOLLAM: Amid attempts by the CPM to politicise the murder of Basheer, a septuagenarian, at Chithara on Saturday, the brother of the accused Shajahan has said that the latter had no connection with the Congress party.
Sulaiman, Shajahan’s brother, said their family members are supporters of the CPM though they do not actively work for the party. The police remand report has also stated that the murder was owing to prior enmity between the duo. Muhammad Basheer, 72, of Sajeena Manzil, Mahadevarkun-nu , Valavupacha, was stabbed to death by his neighbour Shajahan, 63, of Mudeena Manzil, following an argument over selling cassava.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishan said the murder was in retaliation for the Periya twin murders. His statement was in support of the claim made by local party leaders at Chithara earlier. Shajahan has confessed to the police that he had prior enmity with Basheer. The family of the deceased also said that the murder was over a petty argument and not due to political rivalry.
The incident took place on Saturday evening after Basheer refused to sell cassava to Shajahan while returning from a local market at Chithara. A verbal brawl later turned into physical assault.
Shajahan followed Basheer to his house where he stabbed Basheer from behind nine times. The culprit was detained by residents and handed over to Kadakkal police.
Basheer was taken to a taluk hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He un married and was living with his sister. Basheer was also a branch committee member of CPM unit at Chithara.
The CPM local leaders had raised allegations that the murder was pre-planned by the Congress party in retaliation for the twin murders at Periya. The Congress alleged that the CPM was trying to gain political mileage from a fight between neighbours.
