KANNUR: The police have recorded the arrest of the accused in the incident where memorials of CPM leaders in Payyambalam were defaced using chemicals. Kannur Chala Padinjarekkara native Shaji (54) was arrested by the police earlier today. He was taken into police custody the other day. Kannur police recorded the arrest of the accused after a detailed interrogation led by ACP. The police said that there was no politics in the incident.

Shaji lives by collecting bottles. During the interrogation, the accused told the police that he poured the liquid contained in one such bottle obtained in this way on the memorial tombs. He received this bottle during a function at a nearby temple. The memorials of CPM leaders Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Chadayan Govindan, former Chief Minister EK Nayanar and O Bharathan were defaced by pouring liquid on them. The incident happened on Thursday morning.