Com. C.H.Asokan, former State Secretary of the Kerala NGO Union and Secretary of All India State Government Employees Federation passed away yesterday in a Trivandrum Hospital. He was 61. He was functioning as the CPI(M) Area secretary, Onchiyam after retirement from service. For the last many months he was not allowed to go home after he was made an accused in a murder case by the Kerala Police and jailed and harassed.

He was a very good organiser, speaker and agitator and strengthened the NGO union in Kerala. While both of us were in Calicut, we had close contact as the leaders of P&T Union and Kerala NGO Union. The last time I met him was a few weeks back while attending the Keluettan Birth Day anniversary at Calicut. He told that he is staying in Party office, since he was not allowed to go to his home at Onchiyam by the police. Now his body will go home with honour and respect.

My heartfelt condolences on the sad and untimely death of Com. Asokan. Red Salute to Com. C.H.Asokan, the fighter for the workers and the common people.