THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the police had started the probe in the Kasargod twin murder case on the basis of Kannur link, attempts are reportedly going on now to confine the case to former CPM local committee member Peethambaran.

The twin murder came like a thunderbolt for the LDF government, which was getting ready to celebrate its 1000 days. The police had started the investigation, saying that a quotation team from Kannur was involved in the murder. But the home ministry went into swift action and changed officers in the investigation team after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the killings and CPM State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the party had no role in the killings.

Now there are hints that moves are on to depict the killing as a regional issue with the arrest of former CPM Periya local committee member Peethambaran and limit the investigation to him.

There are allegations that two police officers who were making all-out efforts to nab the real culprits, were suddenly removed from the investigation team after the CPM disowned Peethambaran and the police came under pressure from top level.

Crime Detachment DySP M Pradeep Kumar and DCRB DySP Jaison K Abraham are the only senior police officers left in the investigation team.

Now the police intention is to make the case a local issue and ensure that the investigation doesn’t reach even till party district leadership. Besides six persons already in custody, the police have taken one more person in custody. He is a Kannur Alakkodu native in whose car the killers travelled. Police said three persons including him had direct role in the murder.

Now, the investigation may not extend to top-level conspiracy behind and the possibility of involvement of quotation link.