By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Opposition parties in Kerala lashed out at the Left government in the state assembly for failing to take steps to prevent the political clashes in Kannur district that resulted in seven deaths.
Shouting slogans, opposition members marched towards the speaker’s podium, demanding a discussion on the clashes between the cadres of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, however, refused the admissibility of an adjournment motion. As the slogan shouting continued, he adjourned the house for the day.
Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the assembly that peace and normalcy had returned to Kannur.
“Violence took place in Kannur during Congress rule also and 13 people had died. I was in Delhi only for one day and had asked the top police officials to be in Kannur. And they have taken all steps to see that nothing untoward happens again,” Balakrishnan said.
“If Balakrishnan had acted fast and reached Kannur the day trouble broke out, the number of murders would have come down. Instead he and Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan were away in Delhi attending their party meeting,” said Oomen Chandy, leader of opposition.
Achuthanandan intervened and said that an all-party meeting would be called soon to discuss the issue.
“At the moment, RSS leaders have said that they are unable to sit with their opponents for a discussion. Once they are ready, we will call an all-party meeting,” the chief minister said.
Chandy told Achuthanandan: “Shops have not opened, marriages are being postponed, people are living in fear. We will support all your efforts to bring peace at Kannur. The police have to be given a free hand.”
Kannur district has been a hotbed of political violence between the CPI-M and the BJP-RSS combine for several years now.
The recent bout of violence started when an RSS leader was attacked in Thalassery town in Kannur Wednesday. Three people lost their lives later Wednesday in retaliation by RSS and BJP and in counter attacks by the CPI-M. While one person was killed Thursday, two others were murdered Friday.