Political activism doesn''t mean bomb-making: Kerala minister

Thiruvananthapuram: Political activism does not mean making bombs or indulging in violence, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Monday, after political workers, allegedly from the CPI-M, were killed while making explosives.

Chennithala was making a special statement in the legislative assembly after two youths were killed and two injured on Saturday while making bombs in Kannur district, known to be a citadel of the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

The CPI-M has denied any role in the incident.

"Whatever be the political interests of these people who became victims, this sort of activity should be wiped away from our society," Chennithala said.

"Political activism does not mean to engage in bomb-making and indulging in violence."

The home minister asked everyone to stand united and as responsible people ensure that such activities do not take place.

K. Shyju, 39, and Sudheesh, 28, were killed in the explosion in Chettakkandy near Kannur on Saturday. Police confirmed the explosion took place while they were making bombs.

Chennithala said the government has decided to deploy for a year police officials trained by the National Security Guard (NSG) and bomb squads to curb such activities in "suspected areas" of Kannur.