The police on last day arrested three persons including the key suspect Rineesh in the Payyanur Biju murder case. Police also seized the innova car used by the suspects. Biju was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) activists at Payyanur, prompting the BJP to demand the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Kannur district. The killing is the first incident of political violence since Januarys "peace talks" between the leaders of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and BJP-RSS in Kannur.
Police said the deceased, Choorakad Biju, was travelling on a motorcycle when some persons intercepted his vehicle at a bridge near Payyanur and launched a fatal attack on him. Biju, a local RSS leader, was an accused in the murder case of CPI(M) activist C V Dhanraj.
Police said additional personnel were posted in the area as a precautionary measure. The politically sensitive Kannur district has witnessed a series of violent clashes between the activists of the CPI(M) and BJP-RSS over the last one year. PTI
