Local CPI(M) leader removed from key party position

CPI(M) today decided to remove a local leader who has been named as an accused in a criminal case, from a key party position in Ernakulam district.
A meeting of the party's Ernakulam District Committee, attended by CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, decided to remove Zakir Hussain from the post of the party's Kalamassery area secretary.
Hussain, who is absconding, did not attend the meeting.
CPI(M) Ernakulam District secretary P Rajeeve, however, said that Hussain would continue as the member of the party's district committee.
Police have booked Hussain in connection with alleged threatening of a man over a business deal.

A case under non-bailable offence has been registered against him following a complaint sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by victim Jube Poulose.

In his complaint, forwarded to police here, Poulose has alleged he was recently forcibly taken to a place by a gang-led by Siddique, where Hussain threatened him with dire consequences over the business deal.
Meanwhile, the state government today opposed Hussain's anticipatory bail plea when it was considered by a district court here.
The registration of the case against Hussain, an influential local CPI(M) leader, came after Vijayan had made a statement in the Assembly on October 25 that his government would not give protection to those people who indulge in criminal activities such as extortion racket.