BJP worker hacked to death in Thrissur, party calls for hartal
- The BJP worker was attacked during the celebrations of a temple festival
- BJP leader warned CPM that they would face retaliation in other parts of the country
- The conflict between CPM and BJP has been on the rise since LDF government came to power
FollowIn the latest in the series of politically motivated murders in Kerala, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was hacked to death in Mukkattukara in Thrissur on Sunday late night. The incident took place during the celebrations of a temple festival, and the party leadership alleged that the attack was carried out by Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) activists.
The victim, Nirmal, 20, was stabbed during a temple festival at Kokkukangara temple. Another person, Thomas, was injured in the attack and is admitted to hospital.
Though BJP alleges political rivalry behind the attack and has called for a hartal in the district, police said they suspect personal enmity. Soon after the incident, BJP leader and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel warned CPM that the national leadership would intervene if the LDF continued to target its workers. He also threatened that the CPM members would face retaliation in other parts of the country.
The conflict between CPM and BJP has been on the rise in the state since CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) came to power in May. A BJP member was hacked to death on January 18, at Dharmadam in Kannur, allegedly by CPM activists. BJP activist Santosh, 52, was attacked while he was alone at home. Police had arrested six CPM workers in this connection.
On the same day, a bomb was hurled at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office near Thaliparamba.
Pro- BJP outfits in Kerala had sought the intervention of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to stop the attacks against party workers in the state.
