A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker who was an accused in the killing of an Islamic convert at Kodinhi, near Tirurangadi, was found murdered at Tirur on Thursday.
Bipin Kundil, 24, son of Babu Poyilisseri from Thriprangode, was found dead by the roadside around 7 a.m. His bike was lying a few metres away. He was hacked brutally with dozens of slashes and cuts on his head, face, neck, hands, knees and ankles. The police said none had witnessed the killing.
Bipin, the second accused in the murder of P. Faizal at Kodinhi, was leading a normal life after the District and Sessions Court, Manjeri, granted him bail in April. The police said he was waylaid and killed while going for work in the morning.
Faizal, 32, was found murdered by the roadside at Farook Nagar, Kodinhi, in a similar fashion on November 19 morning last year. He had been waylaid and hacked around 5 a.m. by a group of RSS men in apparent vengeance for his conversion to Islam.
The police said Bipin had taken the lead role in hacking Faizal with his machete used for coconut plucking.
Probe begins
The police began an investigation into the murder by forming different groups. They clamped prohibitory orders at Tirur and neighbouring areas for 15 days.
A strong police force has been deployed in and around Tirur following the incident.
District Police Chief Debeshkumar Behara invoked Sections 78 and 79 of the Kerala Police Act and banned unlawful assembly of people in Talakkad and Thriprangode panchayats and some areas of Tirur municipality. The police banned rallies and meetings, publication or distribution of sensitive materials and carrying of weapons and stones.
The BJP observed a half-day hartal in Tirur taluk following the murder. Motorists were caught unawares at many places as roads were blocked. The BJP accused the police of laxity, blaming that the police could have prevented the murder had they acted promptly and properly following a complaint of murder attempt by another RSS worker.
Thayyil Lijeesh, one of the 16 accused in the Faizal murder case, had complained to the police that he had been hit by a car while going on his bike at Alinchuvadu near Parappanangadi a few weeks ago. The BJP said that it was an attempt on his life.
The BJP said had the police stepped up vigil following the Alinchuvadu incident, Bipin’s murder could have been prevented.
