THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the meeting at the state level, CPM and BJP leadership set in motion peace process at the district level to check the growing violence involving the cadres of the two parties. The meeting in Thiruvananthapuram held at the Government Guest House here decided to avoid provocative statements and posters which could trigger violence. The poster war unleashed by the cadres of these parties had resulted in bloody violence at some places recently. It was decided that the leaders should exercise caution while reacting to local level violence and avoid making offensive remarks which could incite cadre in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere.
The Thiruvananthapuram district which had witnessed a series of violent incidents involving CPM and BJP culminating in the murder of RSS Basti pracharak Rajesh on Saturday, is virtually sitting on a ‘time bomb.’ Considering the explosive situation, the leaders decided to put in place a mechanism by which real time intervention could be possible. In the event of clash at local level, the district leadership will jointly intervene in the matter and try to diffuse the situation. Often unresolved minor clashes at the local level resulted in major law and order problems in the district as was witnessed during the last couple of weeks.
The two parties have appealed to the cadre to exercise maximum restraint even in the face of extreme provocation to avoid violent incidents. The meeting decided to issue strict directions to their respective cadres to refrain from attacking houses of leaders, party offices and damaging party flag posts. CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan said his party would fully cooperate with the decisions taken at meeting. He said people of the district are against any form of violence and the party respects their sentiments. BJP district secretary S Suresh said while his party was against violence, the police should draw a distinction between anti social elements and political workers. He also urged the police to act without prejudice and in the interest of rule of law. The two parties decided to hold similar meetings involving the lower level functionaries to ensure effective implementation of peace initiatives at the ground level.
