Local BJP leader shot dead in Kannur; incident suspected to be murder, one taken into custody

KANNUR: In a shocking incident, a local BJP leader was shot dead at Kaithapram in Kannur. The deceased has been identified as Radhakrishnan (49), a goods auto driver. The incident is suspected to be a murder. The police have taken a person into custody in connection with the incident. The incident took place at around 7 PM inside a house under construction.

A person from the area, who holds a license to use a country-made gun, has been taken into custody. However, the police have not officially confirmed any further details. Reports suggest that the person in custody is Santhosh, a construction contractor, though it is yet to be officially verified that he possesses a gun license.

The individual in custody had shared some warning posts on social media. He is a local resident of the same area. Radhakrishnan was shot using a gun, usually used for shooting wild boars. Panappuzha Panchayat member Sujith Kadannappalli told the media that the police arrived at the scene.

People playing at a nearby volleyball court heard the gunshot from the building and informed others. When the police arrived, they found a person sitting outside the building. According to Sujith, the person taken into custody is a member of the neighbouring Perumpadavu Panchayat. The Panchayat President stated that the man was also a member of a rescue team assigned to shoot wild boars. The police said there was reportedly some kind of dispute between two individuals, and a complaint regarding this exists with the police.