Accusing the ruling CPI (M) of being behind the killing of its youth-wing leader in Kerala's Kannur district, the Congress said today that the Marxist party has unleashed "red terror" in the state.
Congress Working Committee member and former defence minister A K Antony said the killing of Youth Congress leader T H Shuhaib was the latest episode of "red terror" unleashed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
Police have become "mere spectators" to attacks carried out by the CPI(M), Antony said, adding that the left party has again proved that it was not ready to eschew violence.
Antony alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the home portfolio, has "failed" to maintain law and order in Kannur district.
He also expressed doubts whether it would be possible to bring the culprits behind the attack, before the law.
Stating that the BJP and the CPI(M) have virtually destroyed the state's unity and peace with their "cycle of violence," he alleged that both parties were two sides of the same coin in matters related to political violence.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president M M Hassan and former chief minister Oommen Chandy also condemned the killing.
Chennithala claimed that 21 "political killings" have taken place in Kannur district after the CPI(M)-led LDF government came to power in 2016.
"CPI-M has unleashed red terror in the district," he charged. "The attitude of CPI(M) not allowing other political parties to function is terrorism."
Hassan said the "distorted face" of CPI(M) has been exposed again with the killing of the Youth Congress leader.
Youth Congress leader and Mattanoor party Block Secretary Shuhaib was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers at Mattanur in Kannur district.
The killing happened late last night when four assailants came in a car and hurled crude bombs and attacked the victim and two other party members with machetes.
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