Maoist case against students: Yechuri disowns Pinarayi

New Delhi: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri on Sunday repeated his stand of providing legal help to Alan and Thaha, students who were arrested being accused of Maoist connection.

When asked about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s terming of them as Maoists, Yechuri passed the buck to Kerala leaders.

Yechuri was answering to media at AKG Bhavan regarding the controversial Maoist case in Kerala. CPM general secretary appeared to be sticking to his guns as regards the controversy, rubbishing Pinarayi’s views.

When media persons pointed out the Chief Minister’s statement on Saturday which termed the students as Maoists, Yechuri said in return that there was nothing in it against providing legal help.  

Yechuri appeared to suggest that Chief Minister was responding based on information provided by the police, which was at variance with the party stand.

Yechuri considered as an approval for his stand the High Court’s pulling up of lower court for its comment on a case which is still sub judice.

The lower court denied bail to students observing that there was enough evidence against the duo to impose UAPA.

However, the High Court criticized the lower court for entering into the merit of the case at the time of considering bail petition.