Kerala BJP Worker Dies After House Set on Fire in Palakkad

The BJP worker suffered grievous burns after political rivals from CPI(M) set fire to his house.

A BJP worker suffered grievous burns after political rivals from CPI(M) set his house on fire. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

The unabated political violence in Kerala has claimed one more victim, while two others remain critical. A BJP worker, who suffered grievous burns after political rivals from CPI (M) set his house on fire, succumbed to his injuries on Friday at Jubilee Mission Medical College in Thrissur.

The attack happened on 28 December at Kanjikode in Palakkad. Radhakrishnan, 55, had been rushed to the hospital with 60% burns on his body. He was admitted along with his brother Kannan and his wife Vimala, who had also suffered burn injuries in the attack.

Three CPI(M) workers were arrested last week for the attack, a few others are still absconding.

“We have called for a district wide hartal on 7 January. The attack was done with the intention to kill. The condition of both Kannan and his wife is critical,” Advocate E Krishnadas, BJP Palakkad district president, said.

Kannan and Vimala continue to remain critical, with both sustaining over 70% and 80% burns respectively.

On 28 December, a group of people had set three bikes on fire kept in a shed near the kitchen of Kannan’s house.

The fire spread, causing the gas cylinder kept in the kitchen to explode. Both the shed and the house were completely burnt down.

All the three victims were local leaders of the BJP.