Press Release

The recent bout of violence in Kannur district was unleashed by the targeted killings of CPI(M) workers. The murderous politics of the RSS in Kerala is not of recent origin. The RSS began its murder campaign originally as the tool of capitalists and owners who wanted to smash the unions and the working class movement in Kannur. Subsequently, the RSS has spread its murder politics throughout the state. The first fact to be understood is that the RSS has been assassinating CPI(M) workers in different parts of Kerala, though Kannur district has been the concentrated target. The second fact to be noted is that there has been a spurt in the attacks on the CPI(M) since the LDF government came into office in May, 2006. The BJP and the RSS are making the false propaganda that the CPI(M) is resorting to violence against them and getting the protection of the state government. But the opposite is true. Since June 2006, till now, 12 workers and supporters of the CPI(M) have been murdered by the RSS-BJP gangs. Among these 12, two were killed in Thrissur district, two in Palakkad district, one in Kollam district and seven in Kannur district.

Murders of CPI(M) Workers by BJP-RSS

(Since LDF government took office – June 2006 to March 2008)

Year Date District Name of deceased 2006 June 13 Kannur K. K. Yakoob 2006 September 25 Thrissur Raju 2006 December 16 Thrissur Maheen 2007 July 19 Kollam Ajayaprasad 2007 October 29 Palakkad Gopalakrishnan 2007 October 29 Palakkad Raveendran 2007 November 5 Kannur Sudheer 2007 November 6 Kannur Parakandy Pavithran 2008 January 12 Kannur Dhanesh 2008 January 27 Kannur Jijesh 2008 March 5 Kannur Renjith 2008 March 7 Kannur Aneesh

That the RSS-BJP stepped up its attacks in the recent months can be seen from the way two CPI(M) members were killed in Malampuzha in Palakkad district. Gopalakrishnan and Raveendran were ambushed on 29 October, 2007 and attacked with lethal weapons. As a result, both of them died on the spot.

This was followed by the murders of two CPI(M) workers in Kannur district – Sudhir Kumar and Pavithran – in November, 2007. Sudhir Kumar was killed in Thalassery and Pavithran in Kathiroor. Two more murders occurred in quick succession in the district on January 14 and January 26, 2008. In the first incident, the victim was Dhanesh (aged 24) who was killed with swords while going back to his home. The second murder was of K. P. Jijesh who was killed while returning to his house after attending a marriage. These four murders in Kannur district by the RSS is the background in which the recent bout of violence, in the beginning of March, took place in which two more CPI(M) workers were killed.

CPI(M) Workers Killed in Kannur District

(Since LDF government took office)

· June 13, 2006 – Iritty : K. K. Yakoob – he was killed by RSS-BJP men by using deadly weapons and country-made bombs.

· November 5, 2007 – Near Kavumbhagam school, Thalassery : M. K. Sudheer Kumar – he was transporting school students in a van. His van was stopped by RSS goons and he was killed in front of the school students.

· November 6, 2007 – Namathumukku, Kathiroor, Thalassery : Parayi Pavithran – he was going to purchase milk. RSS goons attacked him with swords and killed.

· January 14, 2008 – Meenkunnu, Azhikkode : M. Dhanesh – he was traveling in a bike and going home. He was stopped on the way, attacked him with swords and killed.

· January 26, 2008 - Narathu Peedika, Thalassery : K. P. Jijesh – he was returning to his house with his friends after attending a marriage ceremony. RSS goons attacked him with swords and killed.

· March 5, 2008 – Illikkunnu, Thalassery : Meethale Parayathu Veettil Ranjith - he was an auto rickshaw driver. He was driving the auto in Thalassery town. He was stopped, attacked with swords and killed.

· March 8, 2008 – Puthoor : K. Aneesh – RSS goons attacked with swords and killed near his house.



Seven CPI(M) workers were killed by RSS-BJP goons in Kannur district since LDF government took office:That the RSS has been organising the attacks and unleashing its armed goons can be seen from the fact that there have been 12 other incidents of attacks on cadres and Party offices of the CPI(M), in the months of January and February in 2008, a list of which is given below.



· January 6, 2008 – Chundangapoyil, Kathiroor : Five autorickshaws were attacked and destroyed. CPI(M) workers were attacked and injured from a bus.

· January 6, 2008 – Thalassery North : Local Committee secretary, A. C. Manoj - Bombs were thrown to his house.

· January 18, 2008 : Maroli Raghavan – His house was attacked and motor bike was burnt.

· January 27, 2008 – Madapeedika, Kodiyeri – South Local Committee office was attacked and destroyed

· January 27, 2008 – Temple Gate branch office, Mannayadu, Palloor offices were attacked and set fire.

· January 27, 2008 – Chryst Collect, Thalassery was attacked.

· January 27, 2008 – Set fire to Thalassery Dinesh Bhawan, Dinesh Branch office.

· January 27, 2008 – Windows of Thalassery City Centre destroyed.

· January 28, 2008 – Chavassery town : CPI(M) Local Committee office was attacked with bombs and destroyed.

· January 28, 2008 – Mundayamparambu, Aiyamkunnu : Gaya Kumar – his house was attacked.

· January 28, 2008 – Padinjattamuri : CPI(M) worker Biju was attacked.

· February 24, 2008 - Panthakkal : Two Party workers were attacked and wounded.

The RSS and the BJP in Kerala are a degenerated, vicious anti-Communist force. The RSS in Kerala has in its ranks lumpen anti-socials on hire to kill the CPI(M) and target the minorities. The BJP has been exposed by its own leaders as an outfit which sells its vote to the highest bidder during elections.

The CPI(M) in Kerala is a Party with a big mass base and support from all sections of the people. It does not have to demean itself by resorting to violence against an ineffective political force. It is the RSS and its political front which plays the dangerous game of physical annihilation of the CPI(M) as it stands in the way of its rabid communal ideology and politics.