In the aftermath of the brutal murder of Congress worker Shuhaib in Kannur, who was allegedly hacked to death by CPI (M) workers, a postmortem report revealed that the body had evidences of 35 strikes. The blows were all below the knees of both legs and excessive bleeding was the reason for Shuhaib’s death according to hospital authorities, a police official said.
“The report also suggested that both the legs were broken”, said a police official said.
Following the death, the ruling CPI (M) government's inaction towards the political violence in Kannur has been condemned not just by the Congress, but even by the BJP leadership in the State.
BJP State chief Kummanam Rajashekaran even alleged on a Facebook post that the CPI (M) abetted these murders, saying that the party “ encourages political killings” and is a threat to democracy.
“This political killing has proved it that CPI (M) is a threat to democracy. CPI (M) leadership encourages political killing among their cadres and their workers are even trained for the crime. CPI (M) has to put down their weapons for peace to be reinstated in Kerala,” read Kummanam’s post.
Reacting to the recently surfaced video of CPI (M) workers shouting slogans and threatening to kill Shuhaib, Kummanam also referred to the party as “promoters of left terror” in his post.
“Promoters of #LeftistTerror conducted a rally recently, raising threatening slogans against Shuhaib who was brutally murdered today. Not only do they celebrate murder, but also raise threatening slogans publicly before executing the deed”, read his Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed shock at the brutal killing and tweeted his deep condolences to the family of the murdered Congress worker.
“I'm shocked to hear about the murder of Kerala AYC General Secretary, T H Shuhaib. I hope the perpetrators of this cowardly act are brought to justice soon. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace” tweeted the congress president.
I’m shocked to hear about the murder of Kerala AYC General Secretary, T H Shuhaib. I hope the perpetrators of this cowardly act are brought to justice soon.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018
My condolences to his family.
May his soul rest in peace.
Meanwhile the father of the deceased Shuhaib has told reporter channel that Shuhaib had told the family about death threats against him. While speaking to the channel he also added that the family is not satisfied with the progress in the investigation.
Shuhaib’s father’s statement comes after an audio clip of Shuhaib talking about the threats he faced surfaced on internet. The News Minute couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the audio clip though.
Demanding a special investigative team to diligently probe into the murder, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president M M Hassan has also written to the CM Pinarayi Vijayan, on the issue.
Congressman and leader of Opposition, Ramesh Chennithala also condemned the incident and said, "Kannur is witnessing 'red terror.” The CPM is wrecking terror in Kannur by not allowing any other political party to function.”
Further, Congress workers, under the leadership of district congress committee president Satheeshan Pacheni organised a 24 hour hunger strike from 10 am on Wednesday. The party had also called for a dawn to dush shutdown in Kannur on Tuesday.
Shuhaib, the 29-year old block secretary of Mattanur, Kannur, was hacked to death at 11:30 pm on Monday by a group of men who attacked him and two friends, Naushad and Riyad as they were walking in the area.
The group allegedly threw a bomb at the trio before they slashed Shuhaib with a sword.
The police have registered a case in the incident and the FIR suggest the incident to be political murder. A case is registered under IPC sections 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 307 (Attempt to murder), 302 r/w 34 and section 3 & 5 of explosive act.