Explosive Attack Targets KSU Leader's Residence in Kozhikode
In a shocking pre-dawn incident, two masked individuals launched an explosive attack on the home of Kerala Students Union (KSU) Kozhikode district secretary Bithul Balan. The assault occurred at 2:37 AM on Friday at Thodannur near Vadakara, sending shockwaves through the community and escalating political tensions in the state.
Details of the Violent Incident
The perpetrators stood outside the gate of Balan's residence and hurled what police suspect was a country-made bomb before fleeing the scene. The powerful blast caused extensive damage to the property, shattering windowpanes, damaging a window frame, and destroying the sunshade of the house. Glass splinters penetrated into a bedroom, creating a dangerous situation for the occupants.
CCTV footage from the premises captured the entire incident, showing the masked men executing their attack with chilling precision. Preliminary estimates place the property damage at approximately Rs 1 lakh, though the psychological impact on the family is immeasurable.
Family's Terrifying Experience
Balan's parents were alone in the house when the explosion rocked their home. His mother, Thankamani, described waking up in sheer panic after hearing the deafening blast. "I was trembling uncontrollably and couldn't even dial a number properly," she recounted. "Somehow, I managed to call a neighbor first, who then helped me inform the police about what had happened."
The Vadakara Police promptly registered a First Information Report (FIR) stating that the country-made bomb was hurled at Mullerithazhakkuni House due to "political enmity" against Balan. Authorities have registered a case under Sections 3 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, with specialized teams including a bomb squad and forensic experts conducting thorough examinations of the crime scene.
Political Context and Arrest Background
The attack comes amid heightened political tensions involving Balan, who is one of five KSU activists recently arrested for participating in a black flag protest against Health Minister Veena George at Kannur railway station on Wednesday. While the police FIR claimed the protesters had attacked the minister that day, no CCTV visuals have emerged to substantiate this allegation.
Notably, the explosive attack occurred while Balan remained in remand custody in what Congress leaders are calling a "false case" related to the alleged assault on the health minister.
Political Accusations and Reactions
Congress leaders have pointed fingers directly at the Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleging that CPM workers carried out the violent attack. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph made serious allegations, stating that "the bomb attack formed part of the widespread violence CPM was unleashing across Kerala" following embarrassment over what he called the "drama" involving the health minister being exposed.
Joseph emphasized that the incident demonstrated CPM had planned to target Balan's family specifically, raising concerns about political vendettas extending to family members of activists.
Political Leaders Visit and Demand Action
Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil visited Balan's damaged residence and launched scathing criticism against CPM, accusing them of "unleashing violence across the state in the name of a 'non-existent assault'." He demanded that police register cases against CPM state secretary M V Govindan and other leaders for allegedly inciting violence through their statements and actions.
Parambil also criticized police conduct, stating that the force's failure to act firmly in similar incidents raised serious suspicions about their impartiality in politically charged cases.
The show of solidarity extended to Balan's residence included visits from former KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran, Kannur District Congress Committee president Martin George, and several other prominent political figures, highlighting the incident's significance in Kerala's volatile political landscape.
Broader Implications
This explosive attack has intensified the already heated political atmosphere in Kerala, with opposition parties accusing the ruling front of using violent tactics against student activists. The incident raises serious questions about political violence, the safety of activists' families, and law enforcement's ability to maintain order during politically sensitive periods.
As investigations continue, all eyes remain on how authorities will handle this case that sits at the intersection of criminal violence and political rivalry in one of India's most politically active states.
