The Congress leadership has virtually put the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government under pressure in the Shubaib murder case.
Almost all senior leaders have strongly criticised the CPI(M) leadership and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that it was a premeditated murder carried out in a brutal manner with the knowledge of the local party leaders.
Each leader had chosen his own approach, with Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala seeing a link between the release of convicts on parole; KPCC president M.M. Hassan demanding booking of the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act; and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy asking Mr. Vijayan to own up moral responsibility and give up the Home portfolio.
All the leaders see red in the Chief Minister and the CPI(M)’s silence on the brutal murder. Former DCC president K. Sudhakaran has threatened to launch an indefinite stir in Kannur demanding action, while the KPCC announced that it would organise dharnas in districts other than Kannur on February 21 in protest against the Shuhaib murder and “police inaction”. On February 22, the KPCC will launch a a relief fund to mobilise money to support his family.
‘Police aid to killers’
Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Chandy said it was a premeditated murder.
The police kept the doors open for the killers to escape.
He also saw a link between the parole of prisoners and the Shuhaib murder.
The Chief Minister’s silence on this issue was “surprising and frightening”, he said. In reply to a question, he said it was for the government to decide how the investigation should be carried out and whether UAPA should be evoked.
