Kannur: The Suhaib murder case took a tumultuous turn on Monday with Kannur district police chief G Siva Vikram informing the state police chief (SPC) and other superiors that the investigation was being sabotaged by his subordinate officers, especially the deputy superintendent of police (DySP), Iritty.
The Youth Congress leader was hacked to death by a lethally armed gang at a roadside tea shop in Mattanoor on February 13.
The SP said some officers had leaked information on all police action, including a recent raid in party villages, traditional CPM strongholds, to the culprits.
Meanwhile, SPC Loknath Behera said such actions by cops were unprofessional and action would be initiated against the erring officers.
He said a special team had been set up to probe the case under inspector-general of police (IGP) Mahipal Yadav.
Two CPM workers were arrested on Sunday in this connection. Akash and Rijin Raj, both in their 30s, went to the police station at Maloor, near Mattanoor, with a few local CPM workers and surrendered. Their arrests were registered, the police said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incident and said all those involved would be brought to book soon.
The surrender comes in the backdrop of a fierce attack by the Congress on the ruling CPM over the killing.
However, state Congress chief M M Hassan said the surrender seemed to be 'a drama' to shield the real culprits.
Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement, said some people involved in the case were taken into custody and others would be arrested soon. He said the police had been instructed to take stringent action against the culprits immediately after the incident.
“Whoever is the accused and whatever may be their ties, it would not affect the investigation of the case," Pinarayi said.
He also sought the cooperation of all in maintaining peace and brotherhood in the state.
This was the first reaction of Pinarayi after the killing that triggered widespread condemnation from different quarters including opposition parties Congress and the BJP.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the party would initiate action if its workers were found to be involved in Shuhaib's killing.
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