The shocking visuals of the brutal attack on CPM rebel C O T Naseer in the middle of the road at Thalassery in Kannur district have been etched in Kerala's conscience. Naseer, who contested as an independent candidate from the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, was hacked on the night of May 18. Naseer had alleged that the attack was plotted by Thalassery MLA A N Shamseer. However, the party is yet to comment on this.
Naseer opens up about the incidents that led to his attack. Excerpts from an interview
Why were you attacked?
Certain people have developed an idea that any difference of opinion could be dealt with violence. Some leaders have their own quotation gangs that execute the leaders' instructions. Irrespective of whether the matter pertains to development or something else, one set of people discuss and implement it. If an opposing voice is heard, it would be forbidden then itself. If the same opposing voice is raised again, threats would be issued. If still the opposing voice refuses to back down, it would be dealt with physically. That's what happened in my case too.
CPM says it does not have any role in the incident
Party members have a clear role in the attack. The party must have also believed so, prompting it to set up an inquiry commission. The links of accused must be probed. If the phone call records of the former secretary of the area committee office is checked, then these links would be known. Even when the party says it has no role, the people who are being nabbed are all party members.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in the assembly that Naseer did not name anyone
I have named several people, including Shamseer, in my statement to the police. I did not merely say the MLA's name. It is for the police to investigate the circumstance of the attack, the links of the accused and so on.
How was your relation with Shamseer?
I was closely acquainted with Shamseer. He had absolute freedom even at my house. I had taken his mother to hospital after she fell ill. I just don’t understand how one becomes an enemy over a difference of opinion.
How come such a close acquaintance plot the heinous attack against you? Sounds unbelievable
I had often pointed out at the irregularities in the development activities at Thalassery. Though the contract for the Thalassery stadium was given to the Uralungal Cooperative Society, the group in turn sold it to another party. More than Rs 2 crore was spend to set up green turf in the stadium. The grass dried up after one local tournament. Basketball court was built, but it leaks during the rains.
What is the role of the MLA in all this?
The project was to be implemented under the MLA's leadership. He probably would not have liked when irregularities were pointed out. I was called to his office and threatened that my legs would be severed. I had told this in my statement to the police too. I was the first one to raise the irregularities during a meeting. People who seconded my opinion were not allowed to speak. Even I was asked to sit down and told that it was not right to speak like this.
What kind of conspiracy do you suspect?
If Santhosh of Kunduchira in Thalassery is questioned, then it would be known who gave the quotation. One person, who was arrested over the case, gave statement that the attack was carried out on Santhosh's instructions.
Why did you distance yourself from the party?
There is a specific reason why I did not renew the party membership. I gave in the form without filling the column on religion. The local secretary filled it. What is the point in merely stating that there is no religion?
Why did you earlier put up a Facebook post against CM Pinarayi Vijayan
My passport was delayed for over a year over police verification. Though I approached the party office several times, I did not get any help. There were two cases against me for taking part in party stirs. The police then made it five. The frustration and disappointment over this prompted me to put up a post against the CM.
