KOCHI: A week after Deepu CK (33) was allegedly assaulted by four CPM party workers, the dalit Twenty20 activist died on Friday. His demise also led to an emotional outburst by Twenty20 workers outside the hospital. Deepu was on ventilator support since Monday. "He had intracranial bleeding and was on ventilator support. The exact cause of death can only be confirmed after an autopsy," said sources.
Lashing out against CPM, Kizhakkambalam panchayat member Nisha Aliyar, who witnessed the attack, said that the attackers told her that they were CPM members and challenged her to oppose them. Countering a statement, reportedly made by Kunnathunad MLA PV Sreenijin that the deceased had liver cirrhosis, she replied that the MLA, who sent the goons to attack Deepu, is now making such claims. "I saw them holding him by the neck and hitting him and now they are saying that it is cirrhosis," she said. Twenty20 workers alleged that they will not allow the MLA to visit Kizhakkambalam again.
