A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker was hacked to death near Kerala's Iritty taluk, Kannur district, on Saturday, The Hindu reported on Monday. Mavila Vineesh's body was found in an alley with injuries in his leg and head. Police suspect the assault was carried out in retaliation to the country bomb attack on a worker of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) just hours before Vineesh's murder.

Tensions have been high in the localities of Thillankery and Muzhakkunnu in Jannur, RSS and CPI(M) workers clashed more than a week earlier over the Bharatiya Janata Party celebrating the Janmashtami festival, The Indian Express reported.

Kannur has seen such attacks a number of times – a BJP member as well as a CPI(M) worker were hacked to death in the district by unknown assailants in July, and and RSS member was killed in a similar manner in February.