The killing of a CPM man and the revenge slaughter of a BJP worker in a gap of 45 minutes in Mahe, adjoining Kannur, Kerala, on Tuesday exposes the strike-ready and well-honed cadre systems of political parties.
A 10-member gang had hacked to death CPM leader Babu Kannippoyil, 45, a former councillor in the Mahe municipality. In less than one hour, eight men murdered Shamej Parambath, 42, a BJP worker, in a similar fashion.
Police sources said the parties had command and control systems akin to the police and the armed forces. 'Strike teams' were entrenched in the party's cadre system and were ready for 'rapid deployment' at the orders of key leaders who were 'authorized' to give 'kill orders.'
The pecking order system was 'foolproof' and only 'designated and trustworthy' ones in the ranks received the oral orders. Seasoned investigators said the 'regrouping' of the gangs happened in no time and it was at astonishing speeds that they commandeered the logistic essentials like vehicles and crude arms.
The police had lately been recovering crude-craft country weapons like sprocket-welded iron rods. Sources said such weapons were used to inflict 'high-swing and deep' machete wounds to debilitate and maim victims beyond repair. The shark-tooth like spikes at the cutting end of the weapon ensured that the flesh on the body of the victim was torn wide apart and the bones crushed.
Police sources said the gangs operated in drill-like precision with an advance squad throwing petrol bombs to create a veil and smoke screen. The destabilised victim would then be subjected to merciless slaughter by two or more gang members. Investigators said the gangs desisted from using caliber-weapons as the ammunition was 'traceable and accountable' even for private licence arms.
