Idukki: Amid a conflict during a college election with other student organisations, a youth worker and activist of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has been stabbed to death in Kerala’s Idukki district. Two other SFI worker was also injured in the incident.
The deceased has been identified as Dheeraj Rajendran, 21, of Athira Nivas in Palakulangara near Taliparamba in Kannur. Two other students Abhijith and Amal, who were critically injured in the attack, have been admitted to the hospital.
A conflict reportedly broke out between students during the college union elections that eventually resulted in the murder. The SFI claims that workers of Kerala Students Union (KSU), the youth organisation of Congress were involved in the murder.
The conflict rose between SFI and Kerala Students Union. SFI is the student wing of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) while KSU is the student wing of the Congress.
It is not known what was the cause of the conflict though it is suspected it was related to the college poll.
“There were minor issues between both the student organisations as election-related activities were on for the last few days. The incident happened at around 1 pm. He was shifted to medical college here but could not be saved,” the police said.
SFI alleged that KSU and Youth Congress activists were behind the attack.
Police too confirmed that it was Nikhil Paili, a KSU activist, who stabbed Dheeraj.
The assaulters took off immediately after the incident. A search is on to find the assailant who fled the spot.
Hundreds of students and local Left leaders, including MLAs, have gathered at the Idukki Medical College Hospital where the body of the student activist has been kept.
Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, who represents Idukki constituency, said the murder was a planned one. He said the SFI activists were attacked without any provocation. He termed it a highly unfortunate incident. SFI has been ruling the student union of the college for years.
Following the incident the college has been shut for indefinite period.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
