Kerala shut down after RSS leader allegedly hacked to death
Kerala's BJP unit called for a shutdown on Sunday after a 34-year-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader was killed in Kozhikode on Saturday night. The RSS worker's left hand was chopped off in the attack which was apparently carried out by a gang led by a history-sheeter. BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that CPI-M was behind the attack.
Police step up security
The state police have stepped up the security and have taken five suspected CPI-M activists into custody. The two vehicles used by them have also been seized. They have issued directives asking people not to engage in spreading false messages on social media and warned of strict action against those who indulged in violence.
Growing attacks on RSS leaders down South
Earlier in 2016, a 35-year-old RSS and BJP leader was hacked to death by two motorcycle-borne youths in full public view. Rudresh R Mandal was the RSS president of Shivajinagar area and secretary of the BJP Shivajinagar. In another instance, RSS Kakkampara's chief unit Choorakkad Biju who was also accused in the murder of a CPI-M worker was killed in Kannur earlier this year.
Congress asks BJP, CPI-M to restore peace in state
While the BJP and CPI-M keep battling, the Congress on Sunday asked both the parties to immediately end violence and restore peace in the state. Opposition's leader Ramesh Chennithala also began a day-long fast in Kozhikode to protest against the bloodshed that both the parties have been engaged in. Chennithala also said that the police under Kerala CM Vijayan was a failure.
