Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Feb 19: Police team investigating the murders of youth Congress activists Periya resident Kripesh and Sarath Lal, arrested accused CPM Periya local committee member A Pitambaran.

DSP A Srinivas said that the 45-year-old accused had hatched the plot for the murders. The accused will be presented at the court on February 20 to obtain additional custody for questioning. The remaining six suspects in custody are already being questioned.

It is gathered that there was friction between CPM and BJP a few months ago. Meawhile, Sarath Lal had reportedly assaulted Pitambaran. The investigating team head said that Pitambaran had hatched the plot in revenge. Police have seized a vehicle used by the accused from a deserted place in Periya and taken into custody the owner of the same. The investigators have received information that three accused might have jointly killed Kripesh and Sarath Lal. Several CPM activists had fled after the incident.

There was friction between CPM and Congress activists a few days ago. A case against Sarath Lal and Kripesh that they had assaulted Pitamberan was registered at Bekal police station. Seven suspects including Sharath were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. All the seven suspects had come out on bail on February 7. Kripesh was not arrested. Police have clues that CPM leader Pitambaran had got Sarath and Kripesh killed through hired killers to avenge the assault. The two men were killed when they were returning home on a bike on the fateful night of February 17.