Opposition walkout in Assembly over Kannur violence

Thiruvananthapuram: UDF and Kerala Congress (M) members staged a walkout in the Assembly on Wednesday over the political murders in Kannur district.

While Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala said that his party members were walking out in protest against the ineptness and lack of assiduousness from the part of the government in restoring peace, the Muslim League and Kerala Congress (Jacob) leaders said they were walking out in protest against denial permission to discuss the adjournment motion on the issue. BJP member O. Rajagopal did not join the walk-out, but expressed in grief and protest over the murders.

Responding to an intervention by Oommen Chandy (Congress) during discussion of the notice for the adjournment notion, Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan said that government was willing to hold peace talks first at the district level and then at the State level in the presence of Opposition Leader. However, the Opposition was not satisfied by that.

The adjournment motion, given notice of by K. C. Joseph (Congress), said that the government had failed to check violence in Kannur district and restore peace. At one point during the discussion of the notice, the Opposition rushed into the well of the House protesting against ruling Front members disrupting Mr. Joseph’s speech by making comments.

Responding to the notice, Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan said that the RSS was responsible for the incidents in Kannur district. He could not agree with the Opposition contention that there was wide-spread fear among the people. The police had taken steps to restore peace without any partiality and the situation was under control.

He said that attacks were planned. Only five could be considered political murders. An RSS worker was killed when a bomb he was making went off. The BJP did not cooperate with six meetings called to restore peace. The police had formed peace committees at station and circle levels.

Mr. K. C. Joseph said that seven political murders had taken place in the district excluding the death in bomb explosion. The murders were a disgrace to Kerala.

The Governor had expressed concern over the murders and even the CPI mouthpiece had advised the Chief Minister to show political maturity.

The Chief Minister denied that the Governor had expressed concern over the murder. He had only enquired the details. Police had been given a free hand in dealing with the situation in Kannur district.

The political murders, Mr. Vijayan said, did not befit a modern society. Retributive approach should be abandoned by political parties. None could be corrected through rage. Open-heartedness was called for in settling the issues.

The Opposition Leader said that political murders peaked in Kannur district when the LDF was in power. Murders were now taking place in broad day light. The real culprits in the murders were not being apprehended.

Mr. Chennithala also noted that there was infighting in police force. The request of Director of Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau to be relieved of the post was inexplicable. The law and order position in the State was worsening.

Muslim League leader P. K. Kunhalikutty said that the CPI (M) should take the lead in bringing back peace in Kannur district. All parties should disown those resorting to violence.

Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob said that some of the murders could have been averted if the Chief Minister had taken the lead to restore peace earlier.

Kerala Congress (M) leader K. M. Mani said that instead of pontificating, the rulers should take a constructive approach to restore peace.

Mr. Rajagopal reminded that political violence was not taking place in any place in the country where the RSS was strong. The sentiments expressed by the Chief Minister were welcome, but it was his responsibility to take the lead to restore peace.