THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government and the CPM have been challenged by the lapses in maintaining law and order in a state where killings and goonda attacks continue to take place. The lapses of the state police seem to be tarnishing the image of the second Pinarayi government.

Thalassery native Haridasan, a CPM worker, is the latest victim of the goonda attacks taking place in various parts of the state. Sources said that Haridasan had received a threat following a brawl during a temple festival. However, when he informed the police of the threat, they apparently neglected it by advising him 'to remain careful,'

The opposition alleges that the inaction of the police is the failure of the Home Department. The UDF has decided to launch a public protest demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister. The Opposition will also turn against the Chief Minister in the Assembly.

Haridasan's murder took place two days after the death of a Twenty20 worker in Kizhakkambalam. While CPM workers were named accused in Kizhakkambalam, RSS workers were arrested in the Haridasan murder case.

Recently, the CPM was forced to justify the police force when two persons were murdered in the Alappuzha district within a gap of a few hours. Meanwhile, the party was taken aback when the police said that there was nothing political in the murder of a CPM activist in Pathanamthitta.

37 political assassinations had taken place during the term of the first Pinarayi government. Workers belonging to various leading political parties have been named accused in these cases.

On the other hand, the rise of the goonda-drug mafia is also alarming in the state. Opposition parties have been mainly pointing out this as evidence of the complete inaction of the police.

The entire state was shocked upon reading the news of a goonda leader murdering a youth and dropping the body in front of the police station in Kottayam. In another horrible incident, a gang murdered a youth in Pothencode, chopped off his leg and carried the severed leg before the public. Recently, a man was killed in Harippad in an attack by the drug mafia.

Criticism from within the party

CPM state leadership has found itself on the defensive with several people inside and outside the party lashing out at the police force. Police were sharply criticised in several area and district conferences.