Pathanamthitta: Police arrested eight people on Monday in connection with the murder of Jithin Shaji (33), a headload worker and active member of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), in Perunad, Pathanamthitta.

The accused include Vishnu P S (37), who allegedly stabbed Shaji, along with P Nikhilesh Kumar (30), Saran Mon (32), S Sumit (39), M T Manish (30), Aromal (24), Mithun Madhu (22), and Akhil Suseelan (30).

The attack took place around 9:30 pm on Sunday near Kochupalam, following an altercation that started in Madathumoozhi. According to police, the accused were involved in a dispute with a man named Ananthu, which escalated into violence, reported PTI.

When Ananthu’s friend Vishnu tried to intervene, tensions flared, drawing Shaji to the scene. The accused allegedly restrained Shaji while Vishnu retrieved a knife from his car and fatally stabbed him. Ananthu, along with two others—Manoj and Sarath—also sustained injuries. The attackers then fled the scene.

Shaji was initially taken to Perunad Government Hospital before being shifted to a private hospital in Pathanamthitta, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Acting on the orders of District Police Chief V G Vinod Kumar, a special investigation team led by Ranni Deputy SP R Jayarajan swiftly tracked down the accused using CCTV footage and other evidence.

The CPM has alleged that RSS-BJP activists orchestrated the murder to disrupt the state's peaceful environment. The party’s state secretariat condemned the killing, calling for strict action against those responsible.

However, BJP state president K Surendran refuted the allegations, claiming that three of the accused were affiliated with the CPM, DYFI, and CITU. He dismissed the claims of political rivalry and accused the CPM of shifting blame. Police have confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to establish the motive and affiliations of those involved.