Kerala BJP Man Hacked to Death, Dawn-to-Dusk Hartal Called For

52-year-old Santhosh was hacked to death by unidentified persons around 11.30 pm at his residence in Kannur. (Photo: Reuters)

In the latest in the series of unending political violence that has claimed many lives in Kerala, a BJP worker from Kannur was hacked to death late on Wednesday night.

52-year-old Santhosh, an active member of the BJP, was hacked to death by unidentified persons around 11.30 pm at his residence in Andallur in Kannur district.

Dharmadom police said that the assailants attacked Santhosh while the latter was alone at his home.

His wife had gone to a relative’s place on Wednesday evening. The attackers broke open the main door to get into the house. Hearing the commotion, neighbours raised an alarm and informed the police. By the time we reached the spot and took him to the hospital, he was unconscious. He succumbed to his injuries soon. As of now, we are yet to ascertain the number of attackers, since the process of recording the neighbours’ statements are pending.

Dharmadom, Sub-Inspector

The police have registered a case of murder against unknown persons.

Though the police maintain that the attackers are yet to be identified, the BJP in the district has alleged the involvement of CPI (M) in the murder. Santhosh had been an active member of BJP, and had even contested in the last panchayat elections, said the police.

Condemning Santhosh’s murder, BJP district President Sathyaprakash called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the district on Thursday.

Santhosh's death comes only three days after the wife of a BJP leader in the central district of Palakkad succumbed to her injuries, after their house was set ablaze by CPI (M) members two weeks back.

Kalolsavam

Kannur is the venue for the 57th Kerala School Kalolsavam that is underway, but BJP members have assured that the school festival will not be affected because of the hartal.

However, the police expressed uncertainty over the smooth functioning of the festival, pointing out that very few vehicles were plying.