Planned move by BJP, CPI(M) to spread violence: Kerala Home Minister

With sporadic clashes erupting between CPI(M) and BJP in various parts of Kerala, Government on Saturday said strong action will be taken against those forces trying to disturb peace in the state. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala alleged that there was a "planned move" by CPI(M) and BJP to spread violence in the state. "All of a sudden there were two killings yesterday. A CPI(M) worker was killed in one incident and a BJP worker was killed in a separate incident. I doubt a planned motive behind these murders," Chennithala said.

Condemning political violence during Onam celebrations, he said "police will strongly deal with such planned killings perpetrated by both CPI(M) and BJP. No one will be allowed to take law into their own hands. No one can expect any favour from the government. The culprits will be brought to justice," Chennithala told reporters in Kottayam. His comments came a day after a CPI(M) worker and a BJP-RSS activist were killed in two separate incidents in Kasargode and Thrissur districts. 

A strike was called in Kasargode today by CPI(M) in protest against the killing of 45-year-old Narayanan, a CPI-M activist allegedly by RSS-BJP workers in Kannhangad. In protest against killing of their worker, Abhilash, allegedly by CPI(M) activists yesterday, BJP-RSS activists also observed a strike in Pudukkad Assembly constituency and Kodakara panchayat in Thrishhur district today. Meanwhile, CPI(M) alleged that UDF government in Kerala has extended silent support to RSS-BJP for targeting CPI (M) workers across the state. "Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Chennithala are helping RSS to find a place in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good book," CPI (M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters in Kochi.

Incidents of political clashes between CPI(M) and BJP-RSS workers have been reported from Azhikode in Kannur district, which had a long blood-stained history of political violence, and Thodupuzha in Idukki district. Three people have been injured and 16 houses and three CPI(M) offices damaged in violent incidents involving CPI(M) and RSS-BJP workers in Azhikode panchayat last night, police said. CPI(M) observed a dawn to dusk hartal in the panchayat in protest against violence targeting their workers.

In Thodupuzha, two RSS-BJP workers have been allegedly stabbed by CPI(M) activists late night. Police said the injured have been admitted to private hospitals in Ernakulam.