Kannur/Kasaragod: The Periya twin murder case convicts, sentenced to imprisonment by a CBI court, was given a warm reception at the Kannur Central Prison premises by the CPM workers led by the party state committee member P Jayarajan. The convicts were transferred to Kannur from the Viyyur and Eranakulam prisons following their request.

After the reception at the jail, the CPM leaders visited the homes of the convicts in Kasaragod. Led by CPM district secretary MV Balakrishnan and MLA CH Kunjambu, the team visited the houses of the convicts in Periya, Kalyottu, Echiladullam, and Pakkam Velotholi and interacted with their family members.

The first group of convicts, including A Peethambaran, Saji C George, K M Suresh, K Anil Kumar, G Gijin, Sreerag M, A Aswin, Subeesh, and T Renjith (the 10th accused), arrived at Kannur from the Central Prison & Correctional Home in Viyyur, Thrissur at around 3 pm on Sunday. Although P Jayarajan arrived at the jail premises about 10 minutes before them, he did not step out. As the convicts arrived, CPM workers gathered at the premises and raised their fists in greeting.

An hour later, the second group of convicts, including former MLA K V Kunhiraman, Kanhangad Block Panchayat President K Manikandan, Raghavan Velutholi, and K V Bhaskaran, was brought from Ernakulam. P Jayarajan returned to the jail premises once again to meet them. CPM workers and family members of the convicts welcomed them with slogans of solidarity.

After the convicts entered the prison, Jayarajan also stepped in, claiming his role as a member of the Prison Advisory Committee. He carried a copy of his latest book, Keralam-Muslim Rashtreeyam, Rashtreeya Islam, which he handed to the convicts.

Emerging from the jail, Jayarajan stated, "I met five of my party comrades in the jail. I gave them the book, and they will find enlightenment through reading. Communists cannot be intimidated by imprisonment. The path of legal recourse still remains open."

Congress to appeal Periya case verdict
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress has decided to appeal the CBI court's verdict in the Periya twin murder case in the High Court. The appeal targets both the ten accused who were exonerated and the five convicted, including former CPM MLA K V Kunhiraman, who received relatively lighter sentences of five years.

The other day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan held discussions with the families of the victims, Kripesh and Sarathlal, to plan the legal strategy. Both families expressed their determination to pursue justice for their lost loved ones and to challenge the verdict.

A meeting of the Congress leadership will soon be convened to finalise the decision to appeal and to appoint legal counsel. The party, which believes the CBI investigation had certain shortcomings, is also exploring the possibility of demanding a further probe into the case.