Kottayam (Kerala), Apr 7 (PTI) A farmer was found dead by hanging at a CPI office premises in Kottayam district of Kerala on Tuesday, police said.
The incident occurred at Thalayazham near Vaikom, and the deceased was identified as Chellappan Pulikkasheri, a local farmer.
“He was a farmer and reportedly a local public activist. Inquest proceedings have been completed. Further details need to be confirmed,” a police officer said.
Family sources alleged that Pulikkasheri had earlier raised complaints against certain local CPI leaders in connection with his farming activities.
Soon after the body was found, residents staged a brief protest at the party office premises.
A man, claimed to be a former CPI activist, told the media that the deceased had longstanding issues with some local leaders of the party.
He alleged that they had not extended support for his agricultural activities despite repeated requests.
The man further alleged that Pulikkasheri’s plant nursery–his primary source of livelihood–had been vandalised some time back by certain CPI workers, though it was initially attributed to anti-social elements.
Local people also said that the farmer had recently posted on social media criticising some CPI leaders.
Reacting to the incident, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal accused the LDF government of neglecting farmers and pushing them into distress.
He alleged that paddy procurement in the state had collapsed and that farmers were not being paid for procured paddy.
“What kind of apathy does the state government have towards farmers?” he asked.
Police said a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death. PTI LGK ADB
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