GG News Bureau
Kochi, 21st Sept. M.M. Lawrence, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away on Saturday at the age of 95, according to party sources. He died in a private hospital where he had been receiving treatment for age-related ailments.
Lawrence’s body will be kept at his residence, the CPI(M) Ernakulam district committee office, and the town hall on Monday for the public to pay their last respects, before being shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, at 4 PM.
The body will later be handed over to the Government Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, at 4 PM on Monday, the CPI(M) said in a statement.
Born on June 15, 1929, in Mulavukad near Ernakulam, Lawrence was a prominent figure in Kerala’s political landscape. He participated in the struggle for India’s independence and became actively involved in politics after joining the Communist Party in 1946. He gained notoriety for his role in the attack on the Edappally Police Station during the Communist uprising in Kerala in 1950, a significant event in the state’s political history.
As a former Lok Sabha member representing Idukki, Lawrence held various important positions, including membership in the CPI(M) Central Committee and state general secretary of CITU. He also served as the convenor of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Lawrence’s political career was marked by both achievements and challenges, particularly factionalism within the CPI(M). Despite being sidelined during the rise of rival factions, he returned to the party’s state committee in 2004.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences, describing Lawrence’s life as one of “extreme sacrifice and immense suffering.” He recalled the brutal treatment Lawrence faced following the Edappally incident, emphasizing the leader’s dedication to the Communist movement and the Left’s struggle for democratic values.
The CPI(M) state secretariat stated that Lawrence was instrumental in organizing workers across various sectors, including the Kochi port and plantation industries. His contributions to the trade union movement empowered many workers in Kerala.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan also offered his condolences, recognizing Lawrence as a strong trade union leader and organizer whose loss is significant for political Kerala.
Lawrence’s passing marks the end of an era for the CPI(M) and the Left movement in India, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and commitment to social justice.
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