2 surrender in Cong leader’s murder case

Two CPI(M) workers surrendered before the police on Sunday in connection with Youth Congress leader M Shuhaib’s murder, but the Congress cried foul, saying they were ‘dummy killers’ intended to protect the real culprits.

Aakash Thillangeri and Rijin Raj, two active workers of the party, went to a police station near Mattanoor with some local leaders and surrendered, said a senior police officer of north Kerala. Their surrender has exposed the CPI(M) leadership’s repeated claim that the party had no role in the brutal murder. On February 11, a four-member gang had stabbed Shuhaib, 29, after hurling bombs at him. He succumbed to his injuries a day later. The post-mortem report showed he had received 37 stab wounds.

“We really doubt their role in the murder. It seems a drama enacted by the party to save its face. Real killers are still roaming around and police dread to touch them due to political patronage,” said Congress leader K Sudhakaran, ex-MP from Kannur. He has announced an indefinite fast from Monday protesting the delay in arresting the assailants.

The victim’s father shared similar concerns, saying those who had surrendered had nothing to do with the murder.

“I don’t think they are involved. It seems a drama to control growing public anger,” said VP Muhamad.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: