Leaders of various Opposition parties complain that the CPI(M) has let loose a reign of terror all over Kerala after the April 6 election to the Legislative Assembly.
Two days after the gruesome murder of Manzoor, the Muslim League activist at Kannur allegedly by CPI(M) workers within hours of the conclusion of the election, the police has failed to make any breakthrough in its investigation. Though Manzoor was murdered by a group of 11 persons, the police have so far taken into custody just one of the accused, that too an activist of the CPI(M) nabbed by local people.
The Congress-led UDF boycotted the all-party meeting convened by the District Collector on Thursday to restore peace in the tension filled district.
“The police is hand in glove with the CPI(M) and deliberately allowing the murderers of Manzoor escape to safety,” said Muslim League leader Abdul Khader Moulavi.
He said instead of arresting the killers of Manzoor, what the police have done is to take into custody a 15-year-old boy who was returning home after attending the funeral of Manzoor. “
This boy, who was to appear in the 10th standard examination on Thursday morning was held back in the station where the cops subjected him to third degree measures,” alleged Moulavi.
Meanwhile, BJP Kerala Chief K Surendran said that the CPI(M) has let loose a reign of terror all over the State on BJP workers. “A five-month pregnant woman was kicked around by local CPI(M) leaders at Kattakkada near Thiruvananthapuram for casting her vote for BJP. Her aged mother too was assaulted and their house was damaged beyond repair,” said Surendran while speaking to media after vising the victims on Thursday.
He said more than a dozen houses came under attack by the CPI(M) in Kattakkada. “BJP workers across the State have come under attack by the CPI(M). There were instances of even senior citizens being assaulted and manhandled by the CPI(M) activists,” he said.
Surendran and P K Krishnadas, another BJP leader, alleged that there were massive irregularities in voting through postal ballots across the State. “Specially trained CPI(M) leaders who work in Government service were deployed to manipulate the postal ballots. The Election Commission should come out with the details of the number of postal ballots printed and the ballots which were used in the election,” said Surendran.
Congress leader K C Joseph, had warned in early March itself that the CPI(M) would resort to massive frauds in the electoral process. But M V Jayarajan, former secretary in charge of the Chief Minister’s Office who was deputed by the party to oversee the assembly election from the northern districts said there was no truth in the Opposition allegations. “Everything is fine and happy in the State. It is the UDF and BJP that are trying to spread falsehood, “ he said.