ALAPPUZHA: CPM has taken stern action against the leaders accused in the Kollam drug smuggling case. Ijas, a member of the CPM Sea View branch and the main accused in the case, has been expelled from the party's primary membership. Alappuzha North area committee member A Shanavas has been suspended. The actions were taken during the meeting of the Alappuzha district secretariat.

The party appointed a three-member commission to conduct a probe against Shanavas. A party commission comprising Harishankar, Babujan and G Venugopal will probe the allegations against Shanavas. The district secretariat meeting where disciplinary measures were decided upon was attended by Minister Saji Cheriyan.

CPM district secretary R Nasser said that Shahnavas did not inform the party about purchasing the lorry and did not exercise due diligence while giving the lorry on rent.