Kochi: The Kunnathunadu legislator P V Sreenijan is behind the murder of Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam activist CK Deepu, alleged Sabu M Jacob, the chief coordinator of the outfit.
Sabu called for the arrest of the CPM legislator and the seizure of his phones over the brutal murder of the 38-year-old.
He said the MLA was the main conspirator behind the murder and he should be arrested forthwith and his phone seized to examine the call detail records.
MLA Sreenijan should be arraigned as the first accused in the case, demanded Sabu.
Deepu, the ward No 5 area secretary of Twenty20, died on Sunday, a few days after a grievous assault allegedly by CPM activists during the 'lights-off protest' conducted on February 12.
"The MLA has given a free reign to goons. He is focussed on neutralising Twenty20 rather than on administration. Deepu's murder is part of an attempt to eliminate Twenty20 and me," Sabu, the Managing Director of the Kitex Group, told media personnel on Saturday.
Things have come to such a pass that ordinary people are finding it difficult to live peacefully in Kerala.
“Even I am planning to leave Kerala,” he said.
Sabu said the Twenty20 workers have not been involved in even a single incident of assault or violence.
"Kizhakambalam was a peaceful area till the MLA took over. After his election, the goons and antisocial elements are having a field day attacking people whenever they want and wherever they wish. They have been assured of full protection," he alleged.
Planned murder
"Deepu was beaten to death following a week-long planning. He was ambushed by the assailants and continuously beaten for over 15 minutes. There were no external injuries on Deepu’s body. However, he had suffered injuries to his internal organs which clearly indicated that the murder was carried out in a professional manner," Sabu stated.
Deepu approached the hospital after vomiting blood on on February 14, two days after the assault. He didn't venture out of the house fearing another attack by CPM activists, he added.
There were contusions on his stomach and internal bleeding in the head. The hospital authorities disclosed about his death at 12 noon on Friday.
Hospital under a shadow
The Twenty20 chief also said the attack on Deepu was heinous. While in hospital, Deepu had given a statement before the authorities that he had been attacked. There are enough indications that the conspiracy was hatched centring around the hospital.
“We suspect conspiracy behind the hospital authorities informing about Deepu’s death to the media prior to passing on the information to his family members,” he alleged.
'Reign of terror in four panchayats'
Sabu also said the Twenty20 has not been able to function freely in the Kizhakkambalam Panchayat for the past 10 months.
"A reign of terror prevails in four panchayats. Those who have been attacked are not filing complaints out of fear of being attacked. The MLA is repeatedly interfering in the functioning of panchayat administration and police besides issuing frequent threats,” he said.
Deepu's autopsy in Kottayam
Meanwhile, Deepu’s postmortem examination is scheduled at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Saturday morning.
Later his body will be kept at the Twenty20 stall at Kizhakambalam for the public to pay homage and later taken in a procession to his house.
The cremation is scheduled to take place at the crematorium at Kakkanad.
Deepu is survived by his sister Deepa.
