Congress panchayat member dies by suicide after leader's allegations

WAYANAD: Mullankolli panchayat member and Congress leader Jose Nelledam was found to have died by suicide. He was found dead in a pond near his house. Initial reports said that after consuming poison, he slit his wrist and then jumped into the pond. The body which was first kept in a hospital in Pulpally was later shifted to the taluk hospital in Bathery.

Liquor and explosives were recently seized from the house of Kanattumala Thankachan, Mullankolli second ward Congress President. Jose took the drastic step after Thankachan alleged that the former and others were behind the incident. Thankachan raised allegations against Congress leaders after he was released from jail. Thankachan alleged that people belonging to N P Appachan group, including Jose were involved in the incident.

A police investigation is underway in this regard. Thankachan was initially taken into custody by the police in the case. When Prasad was arrested later and questioned, it became clear that Thankachan was innocent. Thankachan then revealed that Jose Nelledam and others were behind the allegations against him. He took the extreme step after disappointed over it.