NCP demands CBI probe into Kannur clashes

Kochi, Mar 11: Taking serious note of the political clashes in Kannur district, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Kerala President K Muraleedharan today urged the State Government to remove Director General of Police (DGP) Raman Srivastava and order a CBI probe into the violent incidents.

Speaking to reporters here, he said ''the DGP's recent statement that it was difficult to keep a watch on what was happening in the villages and the political murders were well planned, showed inefficiency on the part of state police.'' He said the CBI should inquire into the politicial murders, a fallout of clashes between the CPI(M) and BJP-RSS combine and bring the culprits to book.

Mr Muraleedharan also urged the government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.Ridiculing Congress-led UDF's walkout in the Assembly over the issue yesterday, the NCP leader said the Opposition was trying to keep the issue 'live' by keeping away from the Budget proposal discussions.

Mr Muraleedharan said the upcoming party conference would decide the 'political line' to be pursued in the next Parliament elections. NCP National President Sharad Pawar would inaugurate the conference, which would be attended by over one lakh workers, on April 26 in Thrissur.

UNI