23rd October 2011 is the 65th anniversary of the martyrdom of the valiant Punnapra Vayalar Comrades. Under the leadership of the Communist Party, the people of Travancore kingdom (later part of Kerala State) revolted against the misrule of the Dewan of Travancore C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer who brought anti-people rules to subjugate the people further. They confronted the army with spears and such like weapons. The workers were shot and killed in cold blood by the army. The first massacre was in Punnapra on 23rd October and the second at Vayalar on 27th October 1946. Many died in both firings. The workers did not surrender but faced the bullets. The Punnapra Vayalar struggle is part of the struggle for independence and aginst the Dewan Rule. Dewan C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer had to run away from Kerala after a sword attack on him.
Inspiring monuments have been constructed for the Punnapra Vayalar Martyrs in the same spot near Alappuzha where comrades pay homage on these days and organise many programmes in memory of the great revolt.