RSS seeks court-monitored probe into killing of Kerala workers

Accusing the CPI-M-led Kerala government of sponsoring the murders of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers in the state, the RSS on Friday demanded a court-headed probe into the killings.

"We demand investigation into the killings in Kerala under the supervision of either a judge of High Court or Supreme Court," RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said at a press conference here.

Alleging that the state government was patronising the killers of Sangh workers, Hosabale said: "Ever since the CPI-M has come to power, its goons have unleashed a reign of terror in the state."

The RSS leader said that in the last 13 months, 14 RSS workers have been killed in the state.

"Fourteen RSS workers have been killed in the last 13 months and the Kerala government is doing nothing. The government should fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and check this political violence," he said.

He also said that those who talk about intolerance were silent on killings of RSS activists in Kerala. "Whenever there is any killing across the country then there is always an uproar, but when our workers are murdered in Kerala, there is no outrage," he alleged.

"These are not just murders but are political killings," he said, adding that RSS workers were targeted as more common and poor people are joining the organisation, which was not liked by the ruling Left party.

"Don't RSS workers have any right to work for their organisation in Kerala?" Hosabale asked, adding that the state-sponsored violence won't be tolerated.

He said that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would be visiting the state on August 6.

The BJP leader's visit comes in the wake of the murder of RSS activist Ramesh in Thiruvananthapuram.

The RSS accused the Left government of not doing enough to check the violence of communist cadres in the state. "Over 300 people have been killed in the state since 1969."

The RSS leader claimed that despite being at the receiving end it has always tried to hold peace dialogue with the Left, at least three times in the past.

--IANS

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