PALAKKAD: Police reveal that the incident where sisters were found burnt to death in Shornur is actually a case of murder. The deceased have been identified as Thangam and Padmini, natives of Neelamalakunnu, Kavalappara. Manikandan (48), a resident of Pattambi, was caught by the locals when he was dashing out of the house after the blast. He has confessed to the crime, said the police.

Thangam and Padmini were found dead at home yesterday afternoon. Locals rushed here after seeing smoke rising from the house. No one else was home. The interior of the house was full of fire and smoke. Meanwhile, the locals saw a man running out of the house. His body was also burnt. The locals handed him over to Shornur police.

Manikandan's initial statement was that he ran to the house after seeing the fire, but the accused confessed to the crime during detailed interrogation by the police.