Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary Anavoor Nagappan has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of unleashing violence against activists of rival political parties and creating a sense of panic in various parts of the district.
He was critical of the recent spate of attacks on the houses of Students Federation of India (SFI) leaders in various parts of Neyyattinkara, Parassala and Kattakada.
He alleged that the attacks were orchestrated by the BJP-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership and were closely linked to the intense rivalry between the SFI and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the VTM NSS College in Dhanuvachapuram.
Attacked at night
“The houses of college SFI unit president Anjali, convener Mithun and some other leaders at Chenkal, Perumkadavila, Kattakada and nearby areas came under attack during late hours when the residents were asleep. The assailants also threatened them of dire consequences if they returned to the college,” Mr. Nagappan told a press conference here on Tuesday.
Besides, 33-year-old Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activist Rahul was brutally attacked by a gang of masked men at Charuvila a few days ago.
An RSS activist was arrested in this connection later.
Mr. Nagappan said that the violence was unleashed apparently following the growing influence of the SFI, which had recently launched a unit at the college in Dhanuvachapuram.
Haven for criminals
“The college has become a safe haven for criminal elements who were backed by the BJP and the RSS. The undemocratic stance of the ABVP had led to many students pledging support for the SFI. Many have also left the college in recent times after being threatened by the anti-social elements. The college faculty had recently filed a complaint against the BJP district president,” he said.
Notably, the attacks have occurred close on the heels of a conciliatory meeting convened by the District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram rural).
The CPI(M) leader said that the party had pledged its support to steps to restore peace in the region.
