Disabled Organic Farmer Found Hanging at CPI Office in Kottayam
A disabled organic farmer, who had recently made serious allegations against local Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders in a Facebook video, was discovered hanging in front of the CPI local committee office in Thalayazham, Kottayam district, on Tuesday morning. The incident has sparked political turmoil, with opposition parties alleging foul play while police maintain it was a suicide.
Discovery of the Body and Suicide Note
The body of K Chellappan, aged 67 and known locally as Makkan Chellappan, was found hanging from an iron rod at the LDF election committee office, which is situated directly in front of the CPI office. A native of Ullala in Vaikom, Chellappan was first spotted by a newspaper distributor around 6 a.m. His walker was located nearby, and a two-page suicide note was also recovered from the scene.
Political Reactions and Allegations
Following the discovery, workers from the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests, vehemently claiming foul play and demanding a thorough investigation. They insisted that the body should not be moved until the presence of the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). In contrast, District Police Chief A Shahul Hameed stated that preliminary findings indicated suicide, with no evidence of foul play.
CPI leaders, including district executive member T N Rameshan and former MLA C K Asha, denied Chellappan's allegations, describing them as baseless. They suggested that the video was fabricated as a political weapon to undermine the LDF and CPI candidates ahead of elections. They called for a comprehensive police probe to uncover any political motives behind the incident.
Background of the Farmer and His Allegations
Chellappan was an agricultural entrepreneur who operated the Gurukripa High-Tech Horticultural Nursery in Idayazham. He had suffered partial paralysis following an accident on his farm nine years ago. Last Saturday, he posted a video on Facebook accusing local CPI leaders, specifically T N Rameshan and J P Shaji, of harassing him, destroying his crops, and demanding commissions. In the video, he explicitly stated that if anything happened to him before the elections, the CPI leaders in Vaikom would be held fully responsible.
Scene at the Office and Police Intervention
LDF workers had been present at the election office until midnight on Monday. After the body was found, tensions escalated as BJP workers laid siege to the Thalayazham Krishi Bhavan, and UDF and LDF workers gathered in front of the CPI office. Slogans shouted by UDF workers provoked LDF supporters, leading to a confrontation that required police intervention. Teams from Vaikom, Thalayolaparambu, and Kallara police stations arrived to control the situation.
Aftermath and Final Rites
The body was eventually taken for an inquest in the presence of the Vaikom tahsildar around 11 a.m. After the postmortem examination, Chellappan's remains were transported to his home for final rites in the evening. He is survived by his wife Anandavalli and children Deepu and Jyothirmayi.
This tragic incident has highlighted deep-seated political tensions in the region, raising questions about the safety of individuals who speak out against powerful figures. As investigations continue, the community remains divided over the circumstances surrounding Chellappan's death.
