Kottayam: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by various political parties and Dalit organisations in Kottayam district to protest the alleged honour killing of a 23-year-old man brought Kottayam to a standstill on Tuesday.
Shops, markets, and business establishments remained closed in many parts of the district while private bus terminus in various towns wore a deserted look in the hartal called by parties, including Congress-led UDF, Kerala Congress (M) and the BJP.
Though private buses kept off the roads, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operated its services to long distances.
Private vehicles and autorickshaws were seen plying in the intial hours. However, no change in MG University exams scheduled for Tuesday.
Tension prevailed in the district on Monday after the news of Kevin's murder was first reported.
'Honour killing'
Kevin was allegedly abducted by a gang of men engaged by his fiancee Neenu's relatives and was later found dead in Chaliyakkara stream, 20 km from Thenmala, in Kollam district.
BJP leader MT Ramesh slammed the LDF government for the crime by saying the real culprits in the case are the Home Ministry and the CPM. The biggest law and order issue the state faces today is posed by CPM when it takes over 'quotation'. The police didn't pursue Kevin's abductors as they were CPM members, he alleged.
Ramesh sought a judicial probe into the honour killing and asked chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to give up the home ministry.
Opposition parties alleged that activists of DYFI, a youth wing of the CPM, were part of the gang of men who allegedly committed the heinous crime.
Kevin and his relative Aneesh were abducted early on Sunday from the latter's residence by the gang that arrived in three vehicles. The gang later left Aneesh by the roadside after torturing him brutally, police said. He is currently admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital here.
The victim's kin alleged that Kevin died due to police laxity as they refused to institute an investigation on the basis of his Neenu's complaint on Sunday.
The 19-year-old woman, who was staying in a hostel in Kottayam, had filed a 'missing complaint' with police on Sunday.
Kevin and the woman, who is studying in a college in Kottayam, had submitted the joint marriage registration application at the sub-registrar's office on Friday. Earlier reports had said they had already entered into wedlock.
The woman's relatives were allegedly upset with her for going against the wishes of her family. Both Kevin and the woman were earlier summoned to the Gandhinagar police station based on her family's complaint. The woman, however, preferred to go with Kevin.
Kerala Human Rights Commission said it was suspected to be a case of honour killing and ordered the state police chief to submit a report in three weeks if there was any negligence from the side of the police in investigating the case.
Meanwhile, police said sub-inspector M S Shibu and Grade ASI Sunnymon of the Gandhinagar police station were on Monday suspended by Ernakulam Range IG Vijay Sahkare for laxity.
Kottayam district superintendent of Police V M Mohammed Rafique has been transferred following the incident, they said.
'Unfortunate'
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the incident as 'unfortunate' and said it should not have happened.
The police in Kottayam and Thenmala in Kollam, from where the body was recovered, were investigating the case and all efforts were being made to nab the accused as early as possible, he said.
Besides, a Special Investigation team would also probe the crime, he added.
Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Ramesh Chennithala, attacked Pinarayi, who is also holding the Home portfolio, over the incident.
He urged Pinarayi to quit the Home portfolio in view of such incidents in the state due to 'inefficient policing.'
(With inputs from PTI)
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