RSS worker carrying school kids in auto attacked

Kannur (Ker) March 8: An RSS worker carrying primary class children to school in an auto rickshaw was pulled out and brutally attacked with lethal weapons here today allegedly by CPI(M) workers in front of the horrow-struck kids.

Police said the attackers overturned the auto rickshaw with the children inside, but none of the kids were injured. The 29-year-old RSS worker, A V Biju, was taking the children, aged between 6-8 years, to school in his three wheeler when the attack took place, police said.

A case under various sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder, causing hurt with deadly weapons, illegal assembly, rioting, has been registered, they said. No arrests have been made so far in the attack carried out in this politically sensitive northern part of Kerala.

Biju, who suffered injuries on his head, left arm and shoulder, has been admitted to the Kozhikode medical college hospital and his condition is said to be stable. Police sources said Biju's statement has been recorded and he has stated that political enmity was the reason for the attack. He has also identified two CPI(M) workers among the attackers, they said.

Police said the vehicle was stopped by a group of CPI(M) workers at around 8.15 AM at Pannur near Thalassery in the district and the driver dragged out and attacked with iron rods and swords.

The wailing children were later taken to their homes by police in another vehicle. School bags and footwear were seen strewn around at the spot. This is the second incident relating to an attack on RSS workers in Kerala, which is gearing up for the May 16 assembly polls. Known as a political stronghold of CPI(M), Kannur has for years witnessed frequent violent clashes between workers of the Left party and that of the RSS, BJP's ideological mentor.

Last month, a 27-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death in front of his aged parents in Papinesseri in the district, allegedly by CPI(M) workers. On December 1, 1999, K P Jayakrishnan Master, a BJP leader was hacked to death, allegedly by CPI-M workers, in front of his students while he was taking class.

The CPM-led Left alliance (LDF) is making a bid to wrest power from the Congress-led UDF in the assembly elections to be held in Kerala in May. While BJP has been a minor political player in Kerala so far, it has invested heavily in perking up its cadres for the polls and is hoping to make a dent in the UDF citadel.

PTI