When a memorial dedicated to the legendary communist leader P Krishna Pillai was attacked on October 31 in 2013, it was a bolt from the blue to communists of all sorts, namely, CPM, CPI, Maoists and even people who respected Pillai for his principled stand and his contribution to Gandhian style of freedom struggle before he joined undivided CPI and founded its Kerala unit and moulded veteran communists like EMS Namboothirippad, AK Gopalan, Gowri Amma, etc. But, there were people who believed that the vandalism was not the handiwork of any anti-communist group, but it had something to do with the factional politics within CPM.
The memorial was erected in a hut-like house where Krishna Pillai died of snake bite on 19 August, 1948 while living there underground. Later on party purchased the property and constructed the memorial. There was also a statue of the deceased leader in front of the memorial. Interestingly the statue also suffered damages in the attack and the blaze. But, now the investigation report, of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), came to the light last week causes a heavy blow to CPM. Because, it has named five CPM and DYFI leaders including a former personal staff member of LoP and former CM VS Achuthanandan and a former Local Committee Member of the Party. Investigation team was appointed by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government immediately after the incident took place. Since the CPM state conference is scheduled to take place in Alappuzha district in February, 2015, the report has put CPM in a tight corner which is not anybody’s envy. Now, anti-VS faction does its best to utilize the situation to attack VS and his followers.
An important development is the decision of about 150 CPM leaders and workers of the memorial area to leave the party and join CPM. They told media that since there are party workers and leaders conspiring to attack the memorial of their legendary leader, they are scared to remain in the party and rub the shoulders with such ‘comrades’.
Another significant incident that took place in Kerala on December 7 was the armed confrontation between Maoists and Police force in Wynadu. Since the last more than a year, reports of Maoist presence in Wynadu have been common. Media reports quite often suggested that Maoists visited the tribal villages and settlements in Wynadu district. They asked for grains or something else and were disappearing to the thick forest. But State government has not done anything to formulate a clear cut policy (just like they handle the terrorism being imported from Pakikstan and Middle East) ! Later on government appointed a special Thunder Bolt team. Last week when Thunder Bolt made a lightning visit to Thondanadu Panchayath, Maoists shot at them. When the police force retaliated in full swing they retreated to the forest. Even though state home minister dismisses the room for anxiety, people are not taking it. They are not ready to forget the nightmares Naxalites created in Wynadu in late 1960s and early 1970s. During those days, Naxalites attacked police stations in Pulppalli, Wynadu and Thalasserry in Kannur district. Every attack led to the brutal murders of several policemen who were not at all equipped to fight against the trained and armed Naxalites.
People hope that at least now the government and the opposition will take proper steps to curb the mounting threats of Maoism and also terrorism being imported from Middle East and Pakistan. —T Satisan from Kochi?
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