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KANNUR: Police have recorded the arrest of A Peethambaran, a local leader of CPM and Periya local comittee member, in connection with the murders of two Youth Congress workers Kripesh and Sarath Lal at Periya in Kasaragod.

He is said to have the masterminded the killings. Following the arrest, CPM district committee expelled Peethambaran. The party district committee said in a statement that he was being expelled for working against the policies of the CPM.

According to Kasaragod district police chief A Srinivas, the arrest was recorded after detailed interrogation and he has been charged with conspiracy. He also said the police have got evidence that he conspired to kill the duo.

"We have got evidence against him and we are also questioning six others," Srinivas said, hinting that more arrests are likely. Peethambaran would be presented in the court on Wednesday.

According to police sources, the murders were apparently committed by a 'quotation' gang and the police have impounded a white Mahindra Xylo found abandoned in the woods near Pakkam, in the neighbourhood of the incident of crime, which was apparently used by the assailants.

The murder was committed by a three-member gang and they had local support, police said. Sources also said that the owner of the vehicle is also being questioned. It is suspected that the double murders were planned to avenge the attack on Peethambaran by a group of KSU workers including Kripesh and Sarath Lal.

The duo was hacked to death using sharp weapons at Kalliyot near Periya on the night of February 17. The way they were attacked clearly indicated that a professional gang was behind the act.

Meanwhile, there were a few incidents of attack on the houses and properties of the CPM workers, said police.

