THODIYOOR: The vice president of Thodiyoor Gram Panchayat, Salim Mannel, died after he was kicked during a meeting held by Jamaat officials and relatives to resolve the dispute between a couple. The incident happened around 5 pm yesterday.

A young man belonging to Palolikulangara Jamaat and his wife, who is a member of Koyivila Jamaat, had been in dispute for a long time. The woman was staying at her house. The two Jamaat committees and the couple's relatives held a discussion at the Palolikulangara Jamaat office yesterday evening to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, a clash erupted and Salim fell on the ground after being kicked. His companions took him to a private hospital in Karunagappally. The doctors informed that he died on the way to the hospital. A police team led by Karunagapally CI Biju reached the hospital and conducted an inquest and shifted the body to a mortuary.

Salim Mannel, a railway contractor, was a member of the CPM Edakulangara branch, the president of the Palolikulangara Jamaat Union and the treasurer of the Karunagappally Taluk Jamaat Union. The assailants immediately got into the vehicles and escaped. The Karunagappally police have started an investigation. Salim's wife: Sheeja. Children: Sajin and Jibin (Saudi). Daughter-in-law: Shabna and Thasni.