Roadside Shop Torched in Kollam; Owner Alleges Vengeance by CPM Workers for Backing Rebels

KOLLAM: A roadside shop was set on fire and destroyed under the cover of night. The shop belongs to Dinesh, a resident of Perunkulam in Kottarakkara, and was gutted late last night. Dinesh alleges that CPM workers are behind the incident. He claims that his shop, which is his livelihood, was set on fire out of vengeance for campaigning for CPM rebels in the local body elections, and that CPM workers had previously threatened him.

Conflict has been intense in the area for a long time. Several CPM workers, including Dinesh, have fallen out with the local leadership. The CPM rebels fielded independent candidates—Soumya P S in the Kottathala West ward and S Sreekumar in the Moozhikode ward 15—against the official party candidates. Sreekumar won with a huge majority. Dinesh claims this victory angered the CPM workers.

Dinesh, in his complaint lodged with the Kottarakkara police, stated that Liju, Rajneesh, and Arun Baby had threatened him and that they were the ones who set the shop on fire. The police reached the spot, collected information, registered a case, and started an investigation. (MN)

For more details: Navamalayalam.com