Kochi: The death of an SFI leader on Maharaja's College campus has once again shaken Kerala's student community. The Sunday's incident is an outcome of competitive politicking in the city college notorious for student politics. Both the SFI (Students' Federation of India) and the Campus Front activists were competing against each other to use the college wall for sporting messages welcoming freshers as the new academic year got under way on Monday.

It has come to light that the SFI, the students' wing of CPM, had first 'booked' the wall space, but Campus Front activists wrote its name there. Without removing the name of Campus Front, the SFI added the word 'communalism' next to it. This provoked the rival camp and eventually led to the murder of Abhimanyu. Half-empty paint cans and colour-soaked brushes were seen next to the crime spot. The SFI, meanwhile, alleged Campus Front activists had tried to destroy the boards hoisted by them to welcome new students.

Read more: 3 held for SFI leader's murder as tense Maharaja's welcomes freshers

Abhimanyu who was stabbed on the campus died before he could reach the hospital. Another student Arjun, who was along with Abhimanyu, too was critically injured.

The CCTV camera installed on the premises of an educational institute opposite to the crime spot has captured the incident. The footage has been collected by the police. Three SDPI activists have been arrested. Campus Front is the students' front of SDPI -- the Social Democratic Party of India.

Abhimanyu, who is from Idukki's Vattavada, had returned only on Sunday night to Ernakulam after taking part in a DYFI meeting in Idukki. He had returned soon since preparations for welcoming new students were in full swing on the college campus.

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