CBI to probe RSS activist's murder in Kerala

The murder of RSS leader K.T. Manoj in Kannur early this week will be probed by the CBI, a state minister said.

State director general of police recommended the CBI probe citing certain reasons, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said.

"The accused in this case appear to have links outside the state, and even links with people outside the country cannot be ruled out. Moreover, this murder appears to have disturbed the peace in and around Kannur district and a conspiracy behind the murder is also suspected. Hence when the chief of police gave his recommendation, it was accepted," said Chennithala.

A group of people Monday first hurled countrymade bombs on the vehicle in which Manoj was travelling and later hacked him to death.

Though eight accused, including CPI-M activist Vikraman, have been named in this case there have been no arrests so far.

Kannur has over the years seen BJP-RSS and CPI-M activists indulging in violence against each other, though of late, peace had been prevailing.

But the murder of Manoj has shattered the fragile peace. As a result police patrolling has been beefed up in the city.

Manoj was one of the accused who made an unsuccessful bid on the life of Kannur CPI-M district secretary P. Jayarajan in 1999.

After Manoj's murder, Jayarajan's son Jain Raj had posted on a social networking site that it was long awaited, thus angering the BJP and RSS activists.

Raj has been booked under the IT Act for his post.