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Allapuzha 2 houseboats go up in flames 1 Dead

Thiruvananthapuram: One person was killed when two houseboats went up in flames in Kerala's tourist location of Alappuzha. Investigations are on to establish the cause of the ire, police said Thursday. 'Three houseboats were docked at the site. Two were gutted in the fire. The third was moved away before the flames could reach it. A casual worker who was sleeping in one of the boats died,' said Tomy Pulikattil, a leading houseboat operator in Alappuzha who witnessed the fire. 'We are given to understand that the fire was caused by a leak in a cooking gas cylinder in the kitchen of one of the houseboats,' said Pulikattil. The cause of the fire, however, will only be known with certainty once investigations conclude. The accident happened at a time when tourists were visiting the state in large numbers in view of Onam. More than 400 houseboats in Alappuzha have been serving visiting tourists. Locals heaved a sigh of relief that the damage was restricted to two houseboats. The loss is estimated at Rs.70 lakh.

Tanker explosion: death toll rises to 6

Kannur: With Ramlath and Geetha succumbing to injuries following the explosion of LPG tanker at Chala in Kannur, the death toll in the mishap has risen to six. Five out of the six deceased victims are women. Rama and Nirmala, died here Wednesday morning. They were under Abdul Aziz (55), a Chala resident and a woman who was identified as Sreelatha (47) are others who have been killed in the explosion. The condition of the injured are said to be highly critical. The tanker lorry was on its way to Kannur from Kozhikode when the incident occurred. Casualties could have been averted had the driver and cleaner of the vehicle informed the authorities on time and alerted the locals about the accident which happened at around 11 pm. The tanker overturned after hitting a divider near the Chala bypass junction in the Kuthuparamba-Kannur Road. The vehicle started emitting thick white smoke soon and exploded within 15 minutes. Around 20 houses and 10 shops nearby were gutted. Most of the injured were living in the houses nearby. The driver cabin of the ill-fated tanker was blown away and fell 30 metres away in front of a shop. Thirteen injured persons have been admitted to Pariyaram Medical College hospital. Twelve others have been admitted to Kannur AKG Hospital.

Krishna Iyer reacts on TP murder

 Kochi: V R Krishna Iyer who was the first law minister in the first EMS ministry said that it is really sad that CPM was being named in the killing of T P Chandrashekaran and feels ashamed to have entered politics. He was reacting to the murder of TP in angst.
He said there are vast changes happening in the CPM now though during the times of tiff between Pinarayi and VS nothing much changed. 'I'm saddened by this. I'm pained. A party which was formed by AKG and others painstakingly are undertaking murders by making a list. And this kind of news is really agrieving,' Krishna Iyer said with tears in his eyes.
'Does murder make socialism? Does blood make socialism? I feel like staying away from politics. If this is what politics is made of, then I would not have stepped into it. People's protection and their life is politics. The ongoing tiff between Pinarayi and VS are the root cause for many issues'.
Instead of working in unison, conflicts are happening. One says something and the other contradicts. That is not right. The strength lies in working in unison, said Krishna Iyer.

Shukkur murder: T.V. Rajesh’s bail plea rejected

Kannur: A first class judicial magistrate's court here Tuesday rejected the bail plea moved by CPM MLA T.V. Rajesh.
Rajesh had surrendered before the court yesterday after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Rajesh who has been remanded to 14 days judicial custody is currently interred at Kannur Central Jail.

Jayarajan's remand extended till Aug 27

Kannur: The remand period of P Jayarajan, who is presently lodged at the Kannur central jail in the Shukoor murder case, was extended for 13 more days till Aug 27. He was produced at the Kannur Judicial Magistrate Court on Tuesday as his remand was to end today. Jayarajan's advocate has not submitted a fresh bail plea as his earlier plea for bail was dismissed by the High Court.

Two cops suspended for allowing Jayarajan to travel in pvt car

Kannur: Two police personnel have been suspended for reportedly allowing jailed CPI(M) leader to travel in a private vehicle to Kozhikode medical college for a medical check up, in violation of prison rules.
The two, an armed reserve camp senior police officer and civil police officer were suspended on the orders of Superintendent of police Rahul S Nair.
Nair had sought an explanation from them on how Jayarajan was allowed to travel to the hospital in a private vehicle,accompanied by party activists, allegedly in violation of jail rules.
However, Jayrajan went back to Kannur in a taxi from medical college hospital.
Jayarajan,lodged in Central prison here in connection with the murder of an IUML activist, was given treatment at Kozhikode Medical College hospital for his hearing problem, after which he was taken back to jail.Jayarajan was arrested on Aug 1 by the Special Investigating Team probing the murder of IUML youth wing activisit Abdul Shukkoor in February this year. PTI