Since 2005, 26 Sangh Parivar men, 21 CPI(M) workers killed in Kerala

The number of workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) killed in clashes in Kannur district of Kerala over the past several years shows that neither side can absolve itself of the culpability of the political murders.

Figures provided by the police show that 52 political workers were killed since 2005. Of them, 26 belonged to the Sangh Parivar and 21 CPI(M) workers. Three Indian Union Muslim League and two National Development Front workers were also killed during the period.

More killings in previous LDF rule

The figures, however, show that the highest number of the murders occurred in 2006-2011 when the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was in power. Thirty-one were killed in that period.

Since the recent murder of RSS worker Rajesh in Thiruvanathapuram, the Sangh Parivar has stepped up its campaign against what it calls CPI(M)-sponsored violence targeting its workers in the State, especially in Kannur.

Peace talks were held between the State leaders of the CPI(M) and the Sangh Parivar in Kannur on Saturday.

The issue also rocked Parliament a few days ago when members of the CP(M) and the BJP locked horns on the the issue.