Another death in Kerala political violence: Palakkad BJP leader’s wife succumbs to burns

Vimala, Kannan and Kannan’s brother were severely burnt after their house was set on fire allegedly by CPI (M) rivals.

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Another person has fallen victim to political violence in Kerala, succumbing to burn injuries she received after her Palakkad house caught fire in an attack.



Vimala (46), wife of Kanjokode BJP leader Kannan, had been admitted to the Thrissur Jubilee Mission Medical College on Wednesday, and was in in a critical condition with 70% burn injuries. She succumbed on Monday morning.



Vimala, Kannan and Kannan’s brother Radhakrishnan were severely injured after vehicles parked outside their house was set on fire allegedly by political rivals from the CPI (M).

On December 28, a group of people had set fire to three bikes kept in a shed near the kitchen of Kannan’s house. The fire spread quickly, causing a gas cylinder kept in the kitchen to explode. Both the shed and the house were completely burnt down.

Radhakrishnan, who had suffered 60% burns, died on January 6, following a cardiac arrest.

Three local CPI (M) workers were arrested in connection with the case, and the police said that more suspects are yet to be arrested in the case. Kanjukode had seen a few political clashes between BJP and CPI (M) workers, and the police said that the attack on Kannan’s house was part of this chain of events.

Advocate E Krishnadas – BJP Palakkad District President – said that Kannan was a prominent local leader, and accused the CPI (M) of carrying out the attack with the deliberate intent to kill.