Kerala: RSS worker pulled out of autorickshaw carrying students, attacked

A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker carrying primary class children to school in an auto rickshaw was pulled out and brutally attacked with lethal weapons in Kannur on Tuesday allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist workers in front of the horror-struck kids.

Police said the attackers overturned the auto rickshaw with the children inside, but none of the kids were injured.

The 29-year-old RSS worker, A V Biju, was taking the children, aged between 6-8 years, to school in his three wheeler when the attack took place, police said.

A case under various sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder, causing hurt with deadly weapons, illegal assembly, rioting, has been registered, they said.

No arrests have been made so far in the attack carried out in this politically sensitive northern part of Kerala.

Biju, who suffered injuries on his head, left arm and shoulder, has been admitted to the Kozhikode medical college hospital and his condition is said to be stable.

Police sources said Biju's statement has been recorded and he has stated that political enmity was the reason for the attack.

He has also identified two CPI-M workers among the attackers, they said.

Police said the vehicle was stopped by a group of CPI-M workers at around 8.15 am at Pannur near Thalassery in the district and the driver dragged out and attacked with iron rods and swords.

The wailing children were later taken to their homes by police in another vehicle.

School bags and footwear were seen strewn around at the spot.

This is the second incident relating to an attack on RSS workers in Kerala, which is gearing up for the May 16 assembly polls.

Known as a political stronghold of CPI-M, Kannur has for years witnessed frequent violent clashes between workers of the Left party and that of the RSS, BJP's ideological mentor.

Last month, a 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents in Papinesseri in the district, allegedly by CPI-M workers.

On December 1, 1999, K P Jayakrishnan Master, a BJP leader was hacked to death, allegedly by CPI-M workers, in front of his students while he was taking class.

The CPM-led Left Democratic Front is making a bid to wrest power from the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the assembly elections to be held in Kerala in May.

While BJP has been a minor political player in Kerala so far, it has invested heavily in perking up its cadres for the polls and is hoping to make a dent in the UDF citadel.

Meanwhile, CPI-M leader and former member of  Legislative Assembly P Jayarajan was remanded to three-day CBI custody in connection with an RSS functionary's murder in 2014.

Thalassery Principal Sessions Judge V K Anilkumar allowed the agency's plea, seeking custody of Jayarajan for questioning in the case.

The court said that CBI could question Jayarajan on March 9, 10 and 11 and that only an investigation officer should be present at that time of questioning which should be carried out between 9 am to 6 pm.

Jayarajan is now under treatment in Kozhikode Medica lCollege. The CBI had in January listed Jayarajan as 25th accused and framed charges against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the case.

Manoj, 42, a district functionary of RSS, was hacked to death in politically volatile Kathiroor in Kannur district on September 1, 2014, allegedly by a group of CPI-M workers.