Date:17/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/17/stories/2008021752020300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Four arrested in arson case at Venmony

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The police have arrested four persons in connection with the arson case in Venmony, in which the house of Bharatiya Janata Party leader M. Shivan Pillai was set ablaze on Thursday.

Chengannur Circle Inspector M.A. Nazeer said the four arrested are Nelson, Vijesh, Unnikrishnan and Stephen, suspected to be activists of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). However, the police said the incident, as per present investigations, did not have any political shades to it.

“There was a personal feud between Mr. Pillai’s son and a few others. The attack, we believe, was retaliation to that issue. Further investigation is on,” Mr. Nazeer said.

The BJP, which had observed hartal in Chengannur on Friday, demanded that the police stop “shielding” the culprits and that the culprits should be made to pay Mr. Pillai a compensation of Rs.50 lakh. The CPI (M) local authorities have denied involvement of their cadre in the attack.