Daijiworld Media Network - Kannur

Kannur, Apr 18: In a strong ruling against political violence, the Thaliparamba court in Kannur has sentenced 10 workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the Thimiri bomb attack case.

The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge K.N. Prasanth, relating to a 2011 incident in Thimiri near Alakode, where explosives were allegedly thrown at workers associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The prosecution said the attack, which took place on November 27, 2011, was pre-planned and part of a broader pattern of retaliatory political violence in the region. The court held that the guilt of all accused had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

All 10 convicts, including T.V. Binu alias “Udumb Binu,” were sentenced to 25 years. However, nine of them will serve their sentences concurrently, effectively reducing their time in prison to 10 years.

Among those convicted is CPI(M) panchayat member P.V. Baburaj, a ruling that also leads to his disqualification from public office. The other convicted individuals include M.K. Pradeep Kumar, P.P. Sathyan, E.V. Vinod Kumar, Paleri Vijayan, K.P. Suresh, Toby, Janardanan, and Sivaprakash.

The case highlights the long-standing history of political clashes in Kannur, a district known for intense rivalry between CPI(M) and BJP–RSS cadres. Over the years, ideological and local power struggles have frequently escalated into violent confrontations, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides.

Despite periodic attempts at reconciliation, the region continues to grapple with cycles of partisan hostility. Legal observers say the judgment reinforces a clear message that politically motivated violence will be met with strict judicial consequences, regardless of affiliation, underscoring the rule of law in a sensitive and historically volatile district.