Kerala Police reopen more cases of political killings

The police are reopening many cases of political killing in north Kerala as a fallout of the arrest of a key accused in CPI(M) rebel TP Chandrasekharan's murder.

The police are reopening many cases of political killing in north Kerala as a fallout of the arrest of a key accused in CPI(M) rebel TP Chandrasekharan's murder.

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TK Rajeesh, the CPI(M) worker a special investigation team (SIT) has arrested on the Goa-Maharashtra border, had been eluding the law for more than two decades.

SIT sources said Rajeesh used to come to Kannur when summoned by his political masters and on several occasions he flew in to supposedly execute the killings. However, his name never figured in any case though he himself reportedly admitted to his role in at least five killings including that of BJP leader KT Jayakrishnan, who was murdered before his students in a classroom in 1999.

The SIT suspects he could be involved in more killings. He had been summoned when four attempts to kill Chandrasekharan had failed.

His arrest would unravel the conspiracies behind many political killings since 1990, a senior police officer with the SIT said.

The police are planning to re-open at least four murder cases. Additional director general of police Winson M Paul is heading the SIT. As a result of this arrest, many left leaders from Kannur are worried.

Deposed CPI(M) Idukki district secretary MM Mani had admitted last month that the party had often planned and executed its political opponents. Forced to quit, he is now facing three murder cases.

Addressing a public rally in Idukki, he had said the party often resorted to political killings and warned that Chandrasekharan's murder was not the last one. He had given details on how the murders were carried out.

Police sources said when a murder took place, various parties often tried to put the investigators off the scent by giving them false lists of the accused.