CPM, Cong spar over killing of DYFI members

A day after the murder of two DYFI workers in Venjaramoodu, about 15kms from state capital Thiruvananthapuram, the ruling CPM accused the Congress leaders including a Lok Sabha MP of plotting the killings.

Senior CPM leader and Kerala industry minister E.P. Jayarajan alleged that the murders took place with the knowledge of local Congress MP Adoor Prakash.

“After carrying out the killings, the assailants first called the MP to inform him about the incident. All the accused have close links with the Congress leaders. There is a high-level conspiracy which needs to be probed,” he told media persons.

However, Prakash said the minister was making baseless allegations. “The police, home department, Intelligence and other agencies are at the minister’s disposal. Let him prove my involvement,” he said.

DYFI activists Haque Muhammad, 24, and Mithilaj, 30 were murdered by a group of six members at Thembamodu near Venjaramoodu while they were returning home late Sunday night. The rural police suspected political rivalry behind the murders as the area had witnessed clashes between the Congress and CPM workers a couple of months ago. Both sides used to have abusive exchanges on social media as well.

Four Congress workers have been taken into custody while six more including the first and second accused are absconding. The Congress leadership sought to distance itself from the gruesome murders.

“It was a clash between two gangs. Our party men are not involved in any way,” maintained Kerala PCC chief Mullapally Ramachandran. The police said the incident occurred late on Sunday night when the gang clapped to attract the attention of the DYFI workers who were returning home on a motorcycle. As they turned the bike to see who had called, the gang attacked them with machetes. While Mithilaj died on the spot, Haque died at a private medical college hospital while undergoing treatment. A bike used by the gang was found abandoned near the scene of crime which led to the identification of the accused. A CCTV camera was found twisted to the opposite direction indicating that the gang had planned the murders.

The two slain DYFI workers were the breadwinners of their families. Mithilaj used to distribute bottled water to shops. Since most shops were closed during lockdown, he started selling vegetables. He is survived by his wife, two children aged five, seven and elderly parents. Haque was the driver of a vehicle engaged in fish distribution. He is survived by his wife, a one and a half year old child. His wife is also four months pregnant.

The murders have sent a shock wave in the area.