<p> In more embarrassment for CPI-M, a case was registered against a top party functionary for allegedly threatening police probing an IUML worker's murder even as a state committee member allegedly asked cadres to store 'chilli water' at their homes to use it against police.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The two developments come even as the party is struggling to battle the controversy stirred by the speech of Idukki District CPI-M Secretary M M Mani that the party had eliminated political foes in the past.<br /><br />Police said a case was registered here yesterday against CPI-M Kannur District Secretary P Jayarajan for threatening and levelling personal charges at a recent press meet against policemen enquiring into an IUML activist's murder at Taliparamba, about 19 km from here, some months ago.<br /><br />Adding to the party's discomfiture, state Committee member M V Jayarajan allegedly asked party workers to store water mixed with chilli powder to counter police who visit their houses to probe cases against their activists.<br /><br />"CPI-M activists should store water mixed with chilli powder to counter police who visit their houses to probe cases against them," he allegedly said during a protest march to Taliparamba police station yesterday.<br /><br />After Mani's speech raised a storm of controversy, police on June 4 booked him in a second murder case on the basis of his speech.<br /><br />For the first time, the case naming a specific murder of a man in 1980s was registered against Mani and four others in Rajakad police station in the district, listing conspiracy and murder charges.<br /><br />Mani has remained defiant and refused to step down from the organisational post.</p>
<p> In more embarrassment for CPI-M, a case was registered against a top party functionary for allegedly threatening police probing an IUML worker's murder even as a state committee member allegedly asked cadres to store 'chilli water' at their homes to use it against police.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The two developments come even as the party is struggling to battle the controversy stirred by the speech of Idukki District CPI-M Secretary M M Mani that the party had eliminated political foes in the past.<br /><br />Police said a case was registered here yesterday against CPI-M Kannur District Secretary P Jayarajan for threatening and levelling personal charges at a recent press meet against policemen enquiring into an IUML activist's murder at Taliparamba, about 19 km from here, some months ago.<br /><br />Adding to the party's discomfiture, state Committee member M V Jayarajan allegedly asked party workers to store water mixed with chilli powder to counter police who visit their houses to probe cases against their activists.<br /><br />"CPI-M activists should store water mixed with chilli powder to counter police who visit their houses to probe cases against them," he allegedly said during a protest march to Taliparamba police station yesterday.<br /><br />After Mani's speech raised a storm of controversy, police on June 4 booked him in a second murder case on the basis of his speech.<br /><br />For the first time, the case naming a specific murder of a man in 1980s was registered against Mani and four others in Rajakad police station in the district, listing conspiracy and murder charges.<br /><br />Mani has remained defiant and refused to step down from the organisational post.</p>