In the wake of the recent blast in Kannur district, the Congress in Kerala is intensifying its demand for a thorough investigation by a central agency. The explosion, which resulted in one fatality and left three others injured, has sparked concerns about the integrity of the ongoing investigation, with the Congress expressing doubt over the ability of the state police to safeguard crucial evidence.
Rahul Mamkootathil, the Youth Congress state president, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stressing that “bomb making is a serious issue.” He insisted that only a probe conducted by a central agency could guarantee the preservation of evidence vital to uncovering the truth behind the blast.
Backing this stance, P K Firos, the general secretary of the Muslim Youth League’s Kerala State Committee, raised suspicions about the transparency of the police investigation. Firos alleged that pertinent details regarding the case and the condition of the blast victims were being concealed, fueling doubts about the sincerity of the probe conducted by the state authorities.
The explosion, which occurred on April 5 in Panur, Kannur, has not only claimed lives but has also injected volatility into Kerala’s political landscape, particularly as the state gears up for Lok Sabha polls on April 26. Both the BJP and Congress have accused the ruling CPI(M) of fostering an environment conducive to bomb-making activities aimed at disrupting the electoral process. However, the CPI(M) has vehemently refuted these allegations, asserting that such claims are baseless.
Moreover, there have been assertions from both the BJP and Congress that their respective candidates or party workers were the intended targets of these explosives. The police have made several arrests in connection with the case, with many of the accused purportedly having affiliations with the CPI(M), including one individual identified as a leader within the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
The CPI(M), in response, has denied any involvement in the blast, stating that those implicated in the incident had previously targeted party members, resulting in their expulsion from the Left organization.
In light of these developments and the escalating political tensions, the demand for a comprehensive investigation by a central agency continues to gain traction, underscoring the urgency of uncovering the truth behind the Kannur blast and restoring stability in Kerala’s political landscape.
