KASARGOD: CPM former MLA K V Kunhiraman came down heavily on Sharath Lal, the youth congress activist hacked to death in Periya. He said Kalyot is the land of congress’ criminals. Sharath Lal, the congress activist was used for criminal activities. The CPM had no organizational freedom in the area. Kalyot is the place where many political clashes have taken place.

Kunhiraman asserted that he had visited the house of Peethambaran, the main accused in the case and party local secretary. Neither the party nor I had tried to protect the accused. The crime was committed by Peethambaran alone and his family doesn’t have a role in the offence. Peethambaran's house was attacked several times after the murder.

The MLA said that he went there to console the family who are mentally broken. I visited the house as a public worker. The allegation that money was offered to the family is totally baseless, he said.