KANNUR: The CPM has decided not to protect smugglers who are inclined to the party. The party has also taken a stand that those who establish links with smugglers will be expelled from the party. The CPM is preparing to be vigilant in this regard in the wake of the controversy over the party's alleged links with Akash Thillankeri and Arjun Ayanki.

Arjun had used the car of the DYFI regional secretary to smuggle gold. In this connection, there is a widespread cyber campaign against the party. The quotation dealings of Arjun Ayanki and Akash Thillankeri have been an active topic of discussion within the party for the last one year.

CPM Kannur district secretary MV Jayarajan had lashed out at Arjun and Akash soon after reports claimed that Arjun was the planner behind the Ramanattukara gold smuggling. By then, they had become widely accepted by the party workers at the local level.