CPI−M leader arrested for old murder case

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21 (IANS) A CPI−M leader who boasted that his comrades had killed four political foes in Kerala in the 1980s was Wednesday remanded in judicial custody until Dec 4.

A court in Idukki sent M.M. Mani to the Peerumedu sub−jail after the Communist Party of India−Marxist Idukki district secretary was taken away from his home at 5.50 a.m. by police.

The arrest triggered angry protests by CPI−M activists, who blocked traffic. The CPI−M has called for a shutdown in Idukki Thursday to protest the early morning arrest.

A week ago, police asked Mani to take a lie detector test but he rejected the request.

Mani ran into trouble for a fiery speech he made May 25 near Idukki boasting that his party had liquidated its political rivals and cited four instances from the 1980s.

The statement triggered a storm in Kerala and beyond. Police then reopened the murder case of A. Baby, which Mani had referred to.

Mani was also forced to step down as secretary of the CPI−M Idukki district, a position he had held for more than two decades.

IANS 2012-11-21 11:36:08