Kannur: A Special Investigation Team of Kerala police (SIT) on Tuesday arrested four RSS-BJP workers in connection with the "political killing" of a CPM worker in a coastal village here.
Police said investigation is on to arrest all the accused persons who were involved directly and indirectly in the brutal killing of 54-year old K Haridasan at Punnol village near New Mahe in the early hours on Monday.
The arrested include BJP's Thalassery Block (Mandalam) president and Municipal Councillor K Lijesh who came under police scrutiny over his provocative speech.
In an old video released by news channels on Monday, Lijesh was seen talking about a possible retaliation targeting the CPM workers in the area for allegedly attacking the BJP-RSS workers over a local temple festival at Punnol.
The others arrested are Vimal, Amal Manoharan and Sumesh.
The evidences gathered so far have revealed that the political enmity was the reason for the killing of Haridasan, the police said.
The police have slapped conspiracy charges on the four arrested. Seven people were taken into custody in connection with the case on Monday.
The case is probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Kannur City Additional SP Prince Abraham.
Haridasan, a fisherman, was allegedly attacked by a gang of assailants in front of his house at Punnol near New Mahe at around 1.30 am on Monday when he returned home after work.
The 54-year old was rushed to a hospital in Thalassery by hise neighbours who reached the spot hearing a commotion, but he died on the way.
The inquest report stated Haridasan has more than 20 wounds on his body. The attack was carried out with weapons, including a sword, and that deep wounds were the cause of death, the report added.
The body of Haridasan was cremated on the premises of his house on Monday evening.
While the CPM alleged that the RSS workers were behind the "brutal killing" of Haridasan, the BJP said the killing of the CPM worker was due to a local issue and the BJP or the RSS have no role in it
Meanwhile, in a bid to prevent the recurrence of violence, the police have tightened security, bringing the entire region under its surveillance.
