A CPI(M) activist was hacked to death in Kannur's Thalassery on Monday. Punnol native Haridas, who was a fisherman, was murdered at 1.30am on Monday while he was returning from work. It is suspected a gang which arrived in two motorbikes committed the crime. The incident occured at New Mahe, Punnol.
Though Haridas was rushed to the hospital immediately he could not be saved. The mortal remains of the victim is kept at Pariyaram Medical College Hospital. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the murder. A fight had ensued between the two outfits in the region last week in connection with a temple festival. "This is a murder planned and executed by the RSS," CPM district secretary MV Jayarajan said.
The CPI(M) has declared a hartal in Thalassery Municipality and New Mahe panchayat on Monday as a mark of protest. The police have intensified the search for the assailants.
