Stephen Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasaragod (MS)

Kasargod, Feb 18: The call for Kerala bandh given by youth Congress of Kerala and UDF led by the Congress party in protest against the murder of two youth Congress workers on Sunday, February 17 is total.

The protest march that was organized by UDF in the city on the early morning of Monday, February 18 turned violent. Police resorted to lathi charge to control the protesters. The protesters stopped vehicles on the national highway and also pulled down the posters and other promotion material belonging to CPM and LDF.

A tense situation is prevailing in the city and police are on high alert. Buses are off-the-road on account of the Hartal and very few private vehicles are plying on the roads.

A special team for the investigation into the murder of the two youth Congress workers is formed under the leadership of Pradeep, DySP of crime detachment department.

Kripesh (24) and Sarath Lal (21), youth Congress workers, who were travelling in bike were hacked to death by a gang at Periya Kalyot on the night of Sunday, February 17. The assailants first collided their Jeep to the bike and as soon as both Kripesh and Sarath Lal fell on the road, they were brutally assaulted with swords and then the gang escaped from the spot.

Kripesh died on the spot, while Sarath Lal succmbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. The inquest of both the bodies was done at the general hospital in the city and later they are taken to Periyaram medical college for post mortem.

Preliminary investigation suggests that old enmity is the reason for the murders. A few days ago, there was clash between the activists of CPM and Congress parties. Bekal police had arrested 11 people belonging to both the parties with regards to the clash. They were released two days ago after completing the judicial custody period. The deceased Sarath Lal was also one of the accused in the clash.

Mullapally Ramachandran, president of KPCC and Ramesh Chennithala, opposition leader will arrive to the city on Monday, February 18, to take part in the funeral of the deceased duo.

The SSLC model exams and other school exams that were to be conducted on Monday, February 18, in the city are postponed due to the bandh that is being observed in the wake of the murders.