CPM leader arrested for staging bomb attack on himself

Mahe police, on Sunday, arrested two CPM workers on charges of faking a bomb attack on self with the intent to gain political mileage. KP Biju, Panthakkal branch secretary and his associate Rinoj were both arrested and produced before Mahe sub-court magistrate before being sent to judicial custody for 14 days. 

On September 22, Biju had filed a police complaint alleging that a group of men attacked him with explosives while he was sitting on his two-wheeler Urothummal temple on the Palloor-Panthakkal Road. He had further claimed that when the 'crude bombs' were thrown at home, the explosion caused threw him off balance and resulted in him falling and sustaining several injuries, including to his ear. 

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Even as Biju admitted himself at the Palloor government hospital at Thalassery for medical treatment, a protest staged by Kannur CPM workers holding the BJP for the attack. The police, meanwhile scrutinised the CCTV footage available from cameras closeby and also examined Biju's scooter for indications about the nature of attack. Police sources claim that no traces of explosives usually used in manufacturing of crude bombs were traced near the scooter, arousing suspicion of foul play.

Questioning of the local BJP and RSS workers too remained futile as they had no information about the alleged attack. In the further questioning of the two accused, Biju and Rinoj, multiple contradictions have police the first breakthrough. 

After intense grilling with evidence found at the site, Biju reported admitted to having staged the entire attack with his accomplice Rinoj to gain political prominence. Biju purportedly confessed to police that he instructed the 27 year old Rinoj to throw mild explosives to ensure no serious injuries but cause an explosion enough to file a complaint. 

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Rinoj has allegedly confessed to have waited in a close-by building for a crowd to gather on hearing the sound of the mild explosion, before he left the location. Both were taken into custody for interrogation on Saturday and after their confessions were recorded, it matched with the forensic evidence gathered as well. 

Biju has claimed to police that he was aiming at an elevation in the ranks of CPM by orchestrating an attack on his life to portray that he was a threat to the local BJP unit.