Suspected Congress workers held for DYFI men’s murder

Thiruvananthapuram: Police on Tuesday arrested seven persons, including a woman, for the murder of two DYFI activists at Thembamoodu on Sunday, the eve of Thiruvonam. The CPM alleged that it was a pre-meditated murder with the knowledge of Congress bigwigs, while top Congress leaders claimed that the twin murder was a fallout of long-simmering gangland rivalry.
Three persons -- Sajeev (35) of Maruthammood, Sanal (32) of Madapuram and Preeja (32) of Madapuram -- were arrested in the evening. Sajeev and Sanal, two of the four assailants identified by a witness, were arrested from a hideout near Nedumangad. Preeja, a close relative of two accused, has been accused of harbouring the key accused after the crime.
Mithilaj (30) and Haq Muhammed (24) were waylaid and murdered by armed assailants on Sunday night around 11pm. Midhilaj was joint secretary of Thevalakkadu DYFI unit and Haq Mohammed president of Kalinginmukham DYFI unit. They were attacked while going to Midhilaj's residence. Another DYFI activist, Shehin, was also with them but he managed to flee. The case has been registered on the basis of his statement.
The remand report of the first four arrested said the murder was the fallout of political rivalry between Congress and CPM activists in Thembammood region.
It said the conflict started during the Lok Sabha election last year, when two groups clashed at the 'kottikkalasham' event at Thembummood junction.
Ajith (27) of Mukkudil, Shajith (27), Sathimon (46) and Najeeb (41), all hailing from Maruthummood, were arrested on Tuesday morning and police said they were involved in the conspiracy besides helping the suspects escape after the crime. They were produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody.
Venjarammoodu station house officer inspector V K Vijayaraghavan said a hunt was on for Unni and Ansar, who are directly involved in the assault.
Several Congress activists reportedly defected to CPM after the LS polls and this escalated the rivarly leading to more violence in May this year. On May 17, a group of Congress activists led by Sajeev attacked Shahin and DYFI activists, led by Haq Muhammed, retaliated on the same day.
Another DYFI activist, Faisal, was attacked with sharp weapons in a similar fashion on May 25. He survived the attack with serious injuries. Sajeev, Sanal, Ajith and Shajith were involved in that crime too.