Express News Service By

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The State witnessed back-to-back political murders on Thiruvonam — with the murder of one CPM member and one BJP member at Kasargod and Thrissur respectively . Yet another murder in Chengannoor on Saturday, followed by sporadic violence was reported from across the State.

In an apparent continuation of the ongoing CPM-BJP clash which claimed two lives, more violence was reported from Thodupuzha and Azhikkal. CPM activist C Narayanan, 42, was killed by suspected BJP men at Kodom-Belur panchayat in Kasargod on Friday. He was stabbed to death in front of his brother, who was seriously injured. Two, including a BJP worker, were booked and one was taken into custody. The CPM observed a district-wide hartal on Saturday. Tension was palpable in Kodom-Belur, where the CPM has considerable influence. Houses of BJP workers, including that of the accused, were pelted with stones by suspected CPM workers.

In another political murder, BJP activist Abhilash, 31, of Vasupuram was hacked to death at Vellikulangara while travelling on his bike with his friend Satheesh, who was injured in the attack. Two accused, reportedly CPM workers, were arrested following the incident, which appears to be retaliatory in nature.

Soon after, the blame game started with the CPM alleging a hidden deal between the UDF and the RSS while the BJP accused an organised move by the CPM due to fear of failure in the forthcoming polls. “As many as 28 CPM workers have been murdered since the UDF government came to power. Of this, 17 were victims of RSS violence. The police have gone slow on these cases and many cases involving RSS men were scrapped,” CPM State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala termed the political murders as orchestrated and alleged a concerted effort by the BJP and CPM to unleash violence across the State.