Thalassery: Three CPM activists have been booked on charges of attempted murder on Vadakara independent candidate COT Naseer (39). Meanwhile, K Muralidharan, the UDF candidate from the same seat, suspected CPM candidate P Jayarajan’s role in the attack on Saturday.
"He (Jayarajan) is an accused in 10 criminal cases. Party leadership might have had knowledge of the attack. Naseer, a former municipal councilor, had left the party over differences on candidate selection in Vadakara. CPM was set to lose votes he would have gathered," Muralidharan said.
The police did not take seriously intelligence reports of post-poll violence. No action was taken on a complaint of attack on Naseer on polling day. Kodiyeri and MV Jayarajan speak the language of ‘sanghis’ when they attack use of pardahs (veils), Muralidharan added.
TP’s assailants behind attack
KPPC president Mullappally Ramachandran said the killers of TP Chandrasekharan were behind the attack on Naseer. TP was killed for exposing CPM. The same method was used in Naseer’s attack, he said.
Mullappally visited Naseer in hospital.
DCC president T Siddique and RMP leader KK Rema also visited him.
Kodiyeri denies CPM role
CPM general secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has denied party’s role in the attack on Naseer.
"CPM does not want him on the opposite side. Why then should the party attack him? Will someone take a gun to kill a mosquito? He asked.
Naseer in ICU
Naseer underwent emergency surgery at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and is in the ICU.
The police registered Naseer’s statement on Sunday morning.
The attack stemmed from CPM’s vendetta for leaving party and contesting against its leader, Naseer told cops.
One bike-borne man smashed Naseer's head with an iron rod, another stabbed in stomach and on hands with knife and a third assailant rode the bike over him, Naseer said in his statement.
CCTV images of the attack needs to be thoroughly analysed, the police said. Forensic team inspected the crime scene.
Nasser has sustained deep cuts to head, torso and hands.
The investigating team includes ASP Aravind Sukumar, CI VK Viswambaran and SI Hareesh.
