Forums protest Kerala killings

SHILLONG, MAR 1: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP workers in Meghalaya today sought the immediate intervention of President Pranab Mukherjee on the killings of RSS-BJP workers in Kerala.

Two memorandums were also submitted to the President by the recently formed Meghalaya Conscious Citizens Forum (MCCF) and Meghalaya Citizens’ Forum for Human Rights (MCFHR).

Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of a joint protest against the unchecked communist violence in Kerala, MCCF convener Tyllilang Myrthong said, “We have decided to seek the intervention of the President into the matter, and we have sought for an inquiry into the incident to ensure those involved are punished.”

He said the RSS in the state also expressed their strong protest against the killings against the workers in Kerala. Myrthong said that the RSS’ mission was to inculcate patriotism and spirit of unity and oneness among the people of the country.

Sharing similar concerns, MCFHR convener S.P. Sharma said it was unfortunate that such violence was happening in a state, which is considered to be the most literary in the country.

Claiming that over 250 workers were killed in the past 70 years in Kerala, Sharma said, “From May to December last year, a total of eight cadres of the RSS were killed in the different districts of Kerala.”

According to him, such incidents, if allowed to continue, would be dangerous for maintaining the communal harmony in the country, which is secular in nature.

In their memorandums to President Mukherjee, the Forums stated that houses of RSS and BJP cadres in Kanjikode of Palghat District were attacked and set on fire resulting in the death of two persons due to 90 per cent burns.

Further, they stated that although the RSS and BJP leaderships have repeatedly requested the Kerala chief minister to visit Kannur and initiate a move to convene a peace committee meeting to stop the politically-sponsored lethal attacks, yet he refused to give any positive response.

The Forums further urged the Kerala government to take necessary steps to announce rehabilitation package and compensation to the family members of the victims.