IDUKKI: A migrant labourer was shot dead by the plantation owner. The incident happened at a cardamom estate at Chittambara in Idukki. As he was seen in the estate, the owner mistook him as a thief and thought that he had come to steal the cardamom, the owner’s aide told police. A search has been intensified to nab the owner. Police said they have started a probe on the incident.

The incident happened within the limits of Vandanmedu police station. The estate superintendent has been taken into custody. Meantime, it is also asserted that a verbal dispute over hunting led to the murder.