RSS worker killed in clash with SDPI members in Kerala, 6 arrested; BJP calls for shutdown

Mangalore Today News Network

Alappuzha, Feb 25, 2021:     A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker was killed in a clash between two groups in Alappuzha district of Kerala on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

 

At least six SDPI workers have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of the RSS worker, police said.

The 23-year-old man, identified as Nandhu, was allegedly hacked to death by Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) workers after they clashed with RSS men near Vayalar town in Alappuzha. The SDPI is the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

Nandu who was allegedly attacked with sharp objects was taken to a hospital but he succumbed to his grievous injuries on the way, police said.

At least six others, belonging to the SDPI and the RSS, injured in the clash have been admitted to various hospitals in Alappuzha and Ernakulam, police said. One of the injured workers of the RSS is said to be serious, they said.

Six SDPI activists have been taken into custody.

BJP calls for shutdown

The BJP has announced a shutdown in Alappuzha district on Thursday. The party is observing a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the Kerala district to protest the violence against their workers.

 

Kerala: BJP & Hindu outfits have called for a shutdown in Alappuzha district from 6 am to 6 pm today in protest against the death of an RSS worker in a clash with SDPI workers last night, says BJP district president MV Gopakumar

— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2021

According to reports, tension had been brewing in the area following a march organised by the SDPI recently in protest against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Kerala visit to inaugurate BJP’s Vijay Yatra from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram, news agency PTI reported.

The area had witnessed back-to-back protest marches by two groups following the SDPI programme.

’Pre-planned’ attack

In a statement on Thursday, SDPI claimed that the attack was planned by the RSS. "The attack by RSS against the march by SDPI was planned. There should be an inquiry into the death of RSS worker."

It added that four SDPI workers have been hospitalised with serious injuries.

The BJP, meanwhile, also alleged that the killing of an RSS worker was pre-planned. The BJP also added that two workers are in critical condition.