Taliparamba: A court in Kannur has convicted 10 CPI(M) workers in a long-pending case related to a violent political attack that took place over a decade ago, underscoring the enduring tensions between rival political groups in the region.
Court verdict after 14 years
The Additional District and Sessions Court in Taliparamba on April 17 found the accused guilty of attempted murder and offences under the Explosive Substances Act. The case dates back to November 27, 2011, when a group of RSS and BJP workers were targeted in a bomb attack at Thimiri.
According to the prosecution, the victims were returning from a hospital after receiving treatment when they were attacked. Crude bombs were allegedly hurled at them, leaving nine individuals seriously injured. The court concluded that the prosecution had successfully established both the intent to kill and the use of explosives in the assault.
Who are the convicted
Among those convicted are several local political functionaries, including:
M.K. Pradeep Kumar, Chairman of the Thaliparamba Taluk Circle Cooperative Union
P.V. Baburaj, Alakode Grama Panchayat member and former CPI(M) area secretary
T.V. Binu, P.P. Sathyan, E.V. Vinod Kumar, Paleri Vijayan
K.P. Suresh, Tobi, Janardhanan, and Sivaprasad
The court, however, acquitted two other accused due to insufficient evidence, highlighting the court’s reliance on substantiated proof rather than broad allegations.
Political rivalry at the core
Investigators said the attack was politically motivated, linked to tensions over local organisational activities and broader political rivalries in the area. Such issues have at times led to clashes in parts of northern Kerala, particularly Kannur, which has a history of political confrontations involving different groups. While the court has delivered its verdict of guilt, sentencing is scheduled for today. The quantum of punishment will depend on the severity of the charges proven, particularly the application of attempted murder and explosives-related offences, both of which carry significant prison terms.
The judgment is significant not only because it brings closure to a 14-year-old case but also because it reinforces the legal consequences of politically motivated violence. It sends a message about accountability in cases where rivalries cross into criminal acts, a recurring concern in Kerala’s political landscape.
