Two Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh members were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader in Kerala's Kannur district. The police told NDTV that four country-made bombs and swords were also recovered from the duo, who were directly involved in the killing. However, their identities and other details are yet to be revealed.

Mohanan K, who worked as a toddy shop cashier in Valankilchal, was killed on October 10 when five masked men barged into his store and assaulted him with sharp weapons. The ruling CPI(M) had suspected it was the handiwork of RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party members. Two days later, a 19-year-old BJP worker was killed by unknown assailants in the same district. The murder was suspected to be in retaliation to the killing of Mohanan K.

There have been seven political murders in Kerala since the Left Democratic Front government came to power in May. Both the warring parties – the BJP and the CPI(M) – have blamed each other for the bloodshed. In October, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had accused the RSS and the BJP of "deliberately" creating tension in the state. He had also declined the Congress’ demand for an adjournment of the Kerala Assembly and lauded the government for taking "all initiatives". He also showered praise on the police for being impartial in their handling of the murders.