KOLLEMCODE: Veteran CPM leader and former MLA T Chathu (86) passed away on Monday morning. He was one of the leading figures in organizing the agricultural workers and leading the surplus land agitation.

He had served as the member of KSKTU All India Working Committee, State Vice President, District President, District Secretary and Acting State Secretary. In 1991, Chathu was elected to the Kerala Assembly from Kollemcode constituency. He was also a member of the CPM District Secretariat and a member of the District Committee-Area Committee.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday morning 9 am. He is survived by wife Shakunthala, sons Thiruchandran, Ravichandran, Satheeshchandran, daughters Pushpalatha and Nirmmalatha.