RSS leader's murder: Kerala's CBI probe request reaches Delhi

Just 13 days after the murder of an RSS activist in Kannur, the Kerala government's request for a CBI probe into the killing was sent to Delhi Saturday.

Deceased K.T. Manoj was one of the people accused of making an unsuccessful bid on the life of Kannur CPI-M district secretary P. Jayarajan in 1999.

Sep 1, Manoj and his friend Pramod were travelling in a vehicle in their home town Kathirur in Kannur when a seven-member gang first threw a bomb and then attacked them after the vehicle stopped.

While Manoj was hacked to death, Pramod escaped with injuries. Early this week, he testified before the police that he can identify the attackers.

Soon after his statement came out, prime accused Vikraman surrendered in a Kannur court Thursday.

CPI-M state secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan, in an article in the party organ early this week, expressed displeasure at the speed at which the Kerala government had last week announced it will seek a CBI probe into the case.

Saturday, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president V. Muraleedharan, while addressing a party meeting in Kannur, said their self-restraint was ensuring peace in Kannur district but warned that it should not be misconstrued as their weakness.

Jayarajan, reacting to Muraleedharan, said it is unfortunate the state BJP chief is speaking like a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala who is currently in Delhi, said it is good that the BJP members are controlling themselves.

He said: "If the CPI-M also does that, then it will be good for Kerala, as these are the two political parties which indulge in 'murder politics'."

Even as Vikraman's alleged links with the CPI-M have come out, the state CPI-M leadership has said the party has no role in what happened and added that this is no "political murder".

Three local CPI-M leaders have till now appeared before the probe team for questioning.

Senior state BJP and RSS leaders briefed Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the case while seeking his intervention for a speedy probe by a central agency.