KUMILY: Chendamela artist dies after being stabbed during a festival in Vandiperiyar. Jithu (22), son of Kumily Attapallam Anakuzhi Gopalan-Shiny, died. In connection with this, the police arrested Max alias Rajan (28), a native of Vandiperiyar. The incident took place near Vandiperiyar Pasumalai Ayyappa temple on Saturday morning. The deceased Jithu, an auto driver of Kumaly 1st Mile, had come from Kumali for the Chendamelam at the temple festival.

A dispute during the festival is what led to the murder. The accused stabbed him from behind while the chendamelam artists were getting into the vehicle to return after the gana mela. Jithu, who was stabbed in the left thigh, was admitted to the Government Hospital and Cooperative Hospital in Vandiperiyar and then taken to Peerumedu Taluka Hospital, but could not be saved. It is alleged that Jithu's life could have been saved if he had received treatment on time. Brothers: Sarath and Sajith.