Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed visited the house of slain Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) worker Abdul Shukkoor at Ariyil near Taliparamba here on Monday.
Shukkoor had been hacked to death at nearby Keezhara on February 20 by alleged Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers in retaliation for an attack on CPI(M) district secretary P. Jayarajan and Democratic Youth Federation of India State secretary T.V. Rajesh, MLA, during their visit to Ariyil that morning.
The Minister’s visit came in the wake of criticism from his own party that he was the only party leader who had not visited the bereaved family. The murder of the 21-year old party worker, now being investigated into by a special team, is viewed as unprecedented as his photograph taken on mobile phones had been circulated and verified before he was stabbed to death in a field at Keezhara.
Mr. Ahamed told The Hindu that he was certain that the law would take its course and that the family would get justice. He said he did not want to make any comments on the probe and that he had been in touch with Shukkoor’s close relatives.
The Minister added that no party leader or worker would do or say anything that would affect the State’s communal harmony. “We are committed to the religious harmony and communal amity in the State,” he said. Mr. Ahamed added that the party was also committed to protect the rights and privileges of the minority communities enshrined in the Constitution.
