Allegations raised by CPM drove Sreeja to suicide; Congress stages protest

ARYANAD: S. Sreeja (48), a Congress woman member of Aryanad Grama Panchayat, took her own life after being subjected to relentless mental harassment by the CPM. She was found in a weak state near her home early yesterday morning around 5:30 a.m. after consuming acid. Though her family rushed her to the hospital, her life could not be saved. The incident sparked outrage, with Congress workers staging a protest against the CPM, accusing the party’s actions of pushing Sreeja to the tragic step.

Sreeja had borrowed money from several people to meet her children’s marriage expenses and her husband’s medical costs. When she was unable to repay the loans on time, she tried selling her land and obtaining bank loans to settle her debts, but her efforts were unsuccessful. Recently, the Aryanad CPM local committee organised a protest against her on Monday evening, alleging financial irregularities. The protest included poster campaigns and microphone announcements, which reportedly humiliated and mentally distressed her.

Her husband, Jayakumar, said that the family had debts of around Rs 20 lakh, and the insulting remarks and language used during the CPM protest drove Sreeja into severe mental distress. About a month ago, she had even attempted suicide by taking pills.

After a postmortem at the Medical College Hospital, Congress workers and local residents carried Sreeja’s body to Aryanad Police Station yesterday evening to protest, blocking the road at Aryanad Junction. They demanded that those responsible for driving her to suicide be booked. The protesters later ended their protest after the police promised that a case would be registered against four people, including the CPM Panchayat President.

Sreeja is survived by her children, Chandana Jayan and Mithuna Jayan, and her sons-in-law, Abhi and Arun. Her funeral will be held today at 9 a.m. at her home.