JOIN USAn RSS activist was on Friday hacked to death by a gang of unidentified men near Peravoor in Kannur district.
The deceased, identified as Shyamprasad (24), was a native of Kannavam in the district and the student of an Indian Technical Institute in Kakkayangad. Four men have been detained from neighbouring Wayanad district in connection with the killing.
Speaking with DH, P Sathyaprakash, BJP Kannur district president, alleged that the murder was executed by activists of the Social Democratic Party of India. A police officer told DH that it was a "political killing" but refused to confirm political affiliations of the arrested men.
The incident happened at Kommeri village around 5 pm. Preliminary reports said Shyamprasad was returning home after his classes when a car in which the assailants were travelling rammed his motorbike. As residents of the area rushed in to rescue Shyamprasad, the attackers who wore masks are learnt to have brandished their weapons and threatened them.
The injured Shyamprasad tried to flee and entered a nearby house where he was hacked again, leaving him with multiple injuries on his head and neck. Reports said he died while being taken to a hospital in Koothuparamba. The BJP has called for a hartal in Kannur district on Saturday to protest the killing.