KOTTAYAM: A 62-year-old retired policeman was found dead with stab injuries near here on Sunday morning, police said. The police have taken his neighbour into custody in connection with the case.

Retired Additional Sub Inspector C R Sasidharan was found lying in a pool of blood in Mudiyoorkkara area on Gandhinagar-Medical college road at around 6 am by the pedestrians, they said. There were cuts on his face and head. It is suspected that the retired officer was hacked from behind. The weapon used for the murder is yet to be found.

Sasidharan was allegedly hacked to death when he had gone for a morning walk at 5 am.

There were injury marks on the backside of his head and left hand, they added.

He is survived by wife Suma and two children-Pranoop and Preetha.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, police said.