Kerala govt calls for allparty meet to curb political clashes in state

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M)- led Kerala government decided on Monday to convene an all-party meet on August 6 in an attempt to bring an end to the recurring political clashes that have gripped the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Left and RSSBJP leaders, during which they also decided to hold more talks and explore ways to contain the politically motivated violence.

Apart from the all-party meet, three other regional meetings will be called in Kannur, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram.

An RSS leader was allegedly killed by CPI(M) men in the state capital on Sunday, after which governor justice P Sathasivam summoned CM Pinarayi Vijayan and state police chief to express concern over the deteriorating law and order situation.

“What happened in the last two-three days was really unfortunate. Police will be given a free hand to investigate these incidents,” the CM said on Monday, adding that both Left and rightwing cadres will be reined in by their respective parties.

Raising the concerns of his party, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said after the meeting: “We have sought freedom to propagate our political ideology and effective policing. Our workers often fall prey to CPI(M) cadres and police. The CM has assured us both,”.

Meanwhile, stones were thrown at the district committee office of the CPI (M)’s trade union wing CITU on Monday, while a petrol bomb was hurled at the RSS district office.