Kozhikode, June 30: KPCC president K Muraleedharan today attacked the BJP on May 2 Marad incident and accused the party of communalising the issue. "Everyone should work towards ensuring real culprits are brought to book and punished severely," Muraleedharan, MP, told newspersons, saying "The BJP was trying to communalise the Marad incident," in which nine persons were killed.

Accusing the Araya Samajam, representing the Hindu community, of refusing to come in for talks, he said, "Better sense should prevail on those refraining from holding negotiations to solve the crisis.”

"But, how long you can allow the situation to go on like this?,” he said to a question on the government's intentions to go ahead with rehabilitation work at a time when peace was yet to be restored in the beach area completely.
The KPCC leader said, "It is wrong to say the Marad issue is that of Hindus and the problem is between the two communities. I clarify that I can't be blamed of hurting the sentiments of the majority community.”

It was unfortunate that violent incidents rocked Marad and it should be the endeavour of everyone, including the government, to restore peace in the area, he said.
Bureau Report