There is an unholy nexus between the CPI(M) and the quarry mafia in the region, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president V. Muraleedharan has said.
The mafia had been opposing the implementation of the Gadgil panel recommendations, he said while inaugurating a protest march and dharna here on Thursday seeking the arrest of those behind the murder of Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) worker Vellalippil Anoop, 29, of Nittoor in Kuttiyadi grama panchayat last week.
The party had initially decided to take out the march from Kakkatil to Kaiveli but the police stopped the protesters at 11 a.m.
The police arrested Mr. Muraleedharan and four other leaders for defying the seven-day prohibitory orders clamped at the Kunnammal and Naripetta grama panchayats. They were released on bail. The Kuttiyadi police registered a case against 600 party workers in this connection.
Vellalippil Anoop succumbed to his injuries after a mob, reportedly owing allegiance to the CPI(M), attacked a dharna which he was part of.
