LDF govt. committed to peace in Kerala: CPI(M) Secretary

Aluva, Kerala, Sep 22 (UNI) CPI(M) Kerala Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan today said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government would not compromise on securing communal peace and curbing the activities of fundamentalist forces in the state.

Talking to mediapersons after visiting the two places of worship at Akapparambu, vandalised by some miscreants on Sunday night, Mr Vijayan said the government was committed to book the culprits behind the attacks on minority institutions and maintaining peace and harmony in the state.

He said 'Sangh Parivar' groups, who target minority communities, should be dealt with sternly.

The Vicar of St Gervasis Prothasis Catholic Church, where a statue was damaged, refused to meet Mr Pinarayi Vijayan. Other priests of the Catholic church were also conspicuous by their absence during the visit of the CPI(M) state secretary to their church.

However, Vicar Fr Poulose Arackaparambil and other priests received him at the Jacobite Sabore Aphroath Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Aluva Dy SP P N Unnirajan, who is heading the Special Investigation team, said the investigation was progressing.

Referring to a mentally-deranged person being taken into custody yesterday, he said the police could not gather any clues from him.

Police questioned several other persons in this connection.

Policemen were deployed in the premises.

Meanwhile, State BJP President P K Krishnadas criticised Mr Pinarayi Vijayan for dragging the name of the 'Sangh Parivar' into the incident, thus vitiating the atmosphere in the state.

It was wrong on the part of the CPI(M) leader to give a communal colour to an incident which was the handiwork of some anti-social elements, he added.

Mr V V Augustine, former member of the National Minorities' Commission, who visited the places of worship, said it was not a case of theft.

While stating that the culprits and their motive should be ascertained, Mr Augustine appealed to the media not to give exaggerated news of such incidents.

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