How to handle violence by persons with mental disorders

KOCHI: Severe psychotic disorders affect less than 1 per cent of the population. Those with a predisposition for aggressive behaviour make up less than 5 per cent of this group. However, portrayals of violent psycho characters in films and web series often perpetuate the myth that individuals with mental disorders are inherently dangerous. Sensationalised reports of isolated incidents of violence further fuel stigma. Aggression in persons with mental disorders typically occurs when symptoms are ignored or treatment is discontinued, and often only when triggered by specific situational factors. Genesis of aggression Violence in mental illness arises from psychopathology. For example: A person with psychosis may act aggressively as a defensive strategy if they harbour the false belief that others are trying to harm or kill them. Someone with schizophrenia experiencing hallucinations that command them to attack might act based on such delusions. A manic individual, driven by grandiosity and irritability, may easily provoke quarrels with others. What is the usual public reaction to a person with mental disorder reacting violently in public? Adverse comments or gestures. This will only add fire to psychotic fury. Many fail to recognise that they are dealing with an individual suffering from a neurobiological condition. De-escalate and facilitate treatment Aggression in such situations stems from symptoms of a disorder. Some individuals refuse treatment because they do not accept that they have a psychiatric condition. This can lead to behaviours that endanger themselves or others. To prevent harm, urgent treatment is essential. When a person loses the capacity for decision-making, it is the duty of their family or community to ensure treatment, even against their will, as part of their right to quality care. The Mental Health Care Act provides for supported and emergency admissions in such cases. Hesitancy to act often results in preventable violent incidents. However, all such admissions and treatments must be scrutinised by statutory bodies to prevent misuse and protect human rights. Mental health review boards, chaired by judicial officers, function in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur for this purpose. Tips to tackle A person harbouring delusional fears may become suspicious of anyone approaching them. Threatening stimuli can provoke defensive aggression. The following steps can help de-escalate the situation: Listen without engaging in an argument Use a calm, soothing tone of voice Avoid provocation or confrontation Adopt a positive and friendly attitude Express concern for the individuals well-being Offer food or drink Distract with a positive activity Remove dangerous objects from the area Use verbal redirection and set boundaries Maintain close observation Ensure personal safety and be prepared to apply physical force if necessary Important to avoid Large gathering of onlookers Unpleasant or chaotic surroundings Loud or irritating noises Intimidating eye contact Unnecessary invasion of personal space Confrontational or threatening gestures/messages Role of police When a person with a mental disorder refuses treatment and poses a threat to themselves or others, the police can initiate proceedings for their admission to a public mental health establishment as per the Mental Health Care Act. The police can also report cases of ill-treatment or neglect of mentally ill individuals to the magistrate, who can order their admission and treatment. Relatives or citizens can approach the police for assistance in securing professional help for an unwilling individual. Educating relatives about the illness is crucial. Practices like chaining, locking up, or dismissing the disorder as mere bad behaviour and depriving treatment are illegal. Police officers must be trained to handle such situations sensitively. Treat with dignity Symptoms of mental illness, no matter how embarrassing, can be controlled with treatment. Once individuals gain insight, they often understand the necessity of forced intervention during their illness. However, their past aggressive behaviour should not lead to stigma or marginalisation. They deserve to be treated with dignity. The writer is senior psychiatrist at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, and former member of the State Mental Health Authority

Occupants of more reported Waqf holdings approach Kerala govt. for relief

Some occupants of reported Waqf holdings in Chavakkad, Wayanad, Kannur and Thaliparamba have petitioned government in the wake of the Munambam protest

Moment of monochrome clarity

KOCHI: There is a stillness to his works, but they still brim with life. When artist Dhanesh Mamba decided to transfer the vibrant traces of Istanbul as seen through the eyes and lenses of legendary Turkish photojournalist Ara Gler, to canvas, his task was to convert the richness in each image through the flowing hues of watercolours. The Durbar Hall gallery, for a short time, was reminiscent of Istanbul, its history, cobbled walkways and the people that make the city. In the quiet depth of monochrome, Dhaneshs works offered a fresh perspective on the historic citys everyday life. Through 49 delicate watercolour paintings on handmade paper, Dhanesh reimagined scenes immortalised by Gler celebrated as the Eye of Istanbul. Known for his powerful black-and-white images capturing Turkiyes cultural essence, Glers work found a new voice in this interpretation, inviting viewers to experience the rhythms of Istanbuls harbours and streets in a contemplative light. Each painting captured a piece of history that Ara Gler once photographed, giving new meaning through the watercolour and Dhaneshs intricate strokes. Gler once remarked, Art is a product of imagination. But the photograph is real; time freezes, and the photo taken becomes a snapshot of history. Striving for this realism, Dhanesh studied Glers work with dedication and infused his own personal touch within each frame, adding a new layer to this renewed interpretation. The Kannur-born, UAE-settled artists fascination with monochrome began in one of his work trips to the latters home country. In Turkiye, I stumbled upon an exhibition of Glers works. Every frame was in black and white, but none of them failed to capture the old city teeming with life in all crannies, especially, the harbours and seashores, says Dhanesh. Its there that he met Gler in person. Glers work vividly captures the bustling life of Istanbulshipping boats, crowded markets, children playing on the streets, weary workers, and the ever-watchful cats and seagulls. These scenes stirred memories of Ayikkara, my hometown, and its vibrant coastal landscapes. A resident of the UAE for over 25 years, Dhanesh fondly calls it his second home, yet his heart remains deeply rooted in his hometown. And his past and present works are intertwined with both these places, blending storytelling with imagery, capturing men and women, deserts and lush green fields, sand dunes, and water droplets. Decades ago, in the 80s, all I had was a sketchbook and pencil. Fifty paise would fetch my friends and me a rented bicycle for the day. We used to cycle to the beach harbour, eager for a glimpse of life by the ocean fishermen, vendors, boats, crows, and even the cats waiting for their days meal, the calm and chaos of everyday life. Not having a camera never stopped me. I used to sketch the most intriguing frames I found there, Dhanesh recalls his home with childlike enthusiasm. He speaks fondly of Ayikkara, Thayyil, Muzhapilangad, Kawai, and Dharmadam. After returning to Dubai, he began reinterpreting Glers evocative stories, translating them onto paper with his own unique watercolour strokes, delving into the narratives hidden within the photographs. It was like discovering a mentor. And thats when his fascination with black and white began. However, the project took shape when he returned to Kannur and devoted an entire year to completing his series, pouring himself into his work with meticulous dedication. While his earlier vibrant canvases radiated energy, portraying lifes rhythm, Dhaneshs recent monochromatic pieces focus on light, shadow, and the subtlety of emotions. The evolution of these works, capturing raw emotions and evocative narratives, turned into a transformative journey for the artist too, making it unforgettable for the viewers as well as the artist.

Thiruvambady Devaswoms actions during Pooram suspicious, CDB in Kerala HC

KOCHI: The Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) has told the Kerala High Court that certain actions of the Thiruvambady Devaswom during the Thrissur pooram had given rise to suspicions that they were aimed at aiding certain political parties to influence the Lok Sabha elections. Giving credence to the CPIs claim of a concerted effort to disrupt the pooram, the CDB, in a report submitted to the HC, said a series of incidents that occurred during a one-year period ahead of the prestigious event supported the allegation of a conspiracy to undermine the festival. The Thiruvambady Devaswoms dubious actions included disrupting the pooram by involving in discussions individuals who had no connection to it or the festival. The involvement of BJP leaders B Gopalakrishnan and district president K K Anishkumar and RSS leader from Kannur Valsan Thillankeri has further strengthened these suspicions, the report said. Adding to the controversy, Suresh Gopi, who was then BJPs candidate from Thrissur, openly intervened in the issue. Despite it being a no-traffic zone, he broke the law by using a Seva Bharathi ambulance, allegedly to provoke anger that could force a stop to the festival midway, which could further his electoral interests. He also spread false information through channels and social media, claiming that the pooram was in disarray, the report said. It also stated that Gopi had spread the news that issues had been settled following his intervention. Public accusations and counter-allegations aired on channels and in newspapers by office-bearers have brought disgrace to the public discourse. These incidents confirm suspicions about the Thrissur Pooram conspiracy, stated the report. According to the CDB report, one glaring example of the conspiracy is the delay of the fireworks display, which was scheduled for 3 am but was postponed until 7.15 am. Pooram: Call to set up high-powered committee This delay should be viewed as an unethical pressure tactic by the Thiruvambady Devaswom, it said. A list of 160 individualscomprising 85 workers and 65 committee memberswas submitted by Paramekkavu Devaswom seeking permission to stand on the highly regulated pooram ground during the fireworks. However, the ThiruvambadyDevaswom initially refused to provide a similar list, the report said. Eventually, they agreed to participate in the fireworks display only on the condition that all individuals they nominated be allowed on the ground. For the first time in the history of Thrissur Pooram, which is attended by lakhs of people, the festival was arbitrarily reduced to a mere formality due to the obstinacy of one of its partner temples. This led to an unprecedented delay in the most popular fireworks display, disappointing thousands of spectators who had gathered to witness the pooram, said the report. The report also stated that there would be a chance for conflicts and pressure tactics during the Thrissur pooram in the coming years. A high-powered committee should be formed under the aegis of the CDB in coordination with district administration and Thrissur corporation to ensure proper conduct of the pooram rituals in future, said the report which was filed in response to a batch of petitions filed on the Pooram disruption.

Womans killer saw Drishyam five times for ideas to mislead cops

ALAPPUZHA: Jayachandran, whose confession led to the recovery of the body of a missing woman on Tuesday, had watched Malayalam megahit Drishyam directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal and Meena five times to get ideas for destroying evidence and misleading the police. The police recovered the body of Vijayalakshmi, 49, a native of Kulasekharapuram in Karunagappally who had been missing since November 6, from a vacant land near a newly-constructed house at Karoor near Ambalappuzha, after Jayachandran, 50, her paramour, confessed to killing her and burying the body there. An officer said Jayachandran, a fisherman from Karoor, killed Vijayalakshmi on the suspicion that she was in a relationship with another person. The Karunagappally police had launched a probe after Vijayalakshmis relatives lodged a complaint saying she had been missing since November 6, the same day when Jayachandran allegedly murdered her. On the day, Jayachandran invited Vijayalakshmi to his house, saying he will be visiting the Ambalappuzha temple. His wife and son were not at home at the time, said an officer. It is learnt he killed Vijayalakshmi by hitting her on the head with an iron rod, dragged the body to the vacant house near his home, and buried her in the land adjacent to it. After the murder, Jayachandran took Vijayalakshmis phone and went to Ernakulam in a KSRTC bus. Upon reaching there, he discarded the phone in a Kannur-bound bus, said an officer. During interrogation, he told us that he saw Drishyam five times and that it was an inspiration to destroy evidence. He had left the phone in the bus to mislead the police, the officer said. Body of 40-year-old missing woman found buried at Karoor in Alappuzha Vijayalakshmi However, passengers of the bus found the phone before it left the station and handed it to the conductor, who in turn gave it to the station master. Looking to return the device to its owner, the station master and other employees turned the phone on. As soon as they did, the Karunagapally police probing Vijayalakshmis disappearance got an alert. They traced its tower location and contacted the Kochi police, which retrieved the phone. Recovery of the device proved crucial in the investigation. For it contained WhatsApp texts between Vijayalakshmi, who had been living separately from her husband for the past few years, and Jayachandran, who is married. They also regularly contacted each other over the phone, the police found. They traced Jayachandran and reached Karoor, only to find that he had gone fishing in the sea and would return after a week or two. In the meantime, the police collected the statement of Jayachandrans wife, who said she knew Vijayalakshmi. Suspecting that Jayachandran was trying to escape, the police contacted the fishing boat owner and ensured he was on board. When the boat reached Azheekkal on Sunday as per the polices instructions, Jayachandran was taken into custody. He readily confessed to the crime. He said he burnt Vijayalakshmis dress inside the empty house; investigators have found ashes there. CCTV visuals from the Ambalappuzha temple premises and the statement of a witness helped the police conclude that Vijayalakshmi was with Jayachandran on the day of the crime, said an officer. Jayachandran regularly came to the Azheekkal harbour, while Vijayalakshmi was a worker there. They were in a relationship for the past two years. The police suspect they also had financial dealings. An officer said the exact cause of death will be revealed only after an autopsy. The gold ornaments worn by Vijayalakshmi and the murder weapon were confiscated from Jayachandrans house.

Body of 40-year-old missing woman found buried at Karoor in Alappuzha

ALAPPUZHA: The body of a 40-year-old woman, a native of Karunagappally in Alappuzha, who was missing since November 6, was found near a house at Karoor near Ambalapuzha on Tuesday. Police have taken Jayachandran, 50, of Karoor into custody after their probe found that he murdered Vijayalakshmi. Jayachandran has confessed that he killed Vijayalakshmi and buried the body near his house, police said. The probe began when the family members of Vijayalakshmi filed a missing complaint with the Karunagappally police on November 13. In the complaint, they said that she had been missing since November 6. Later the mobile number of Vijayalakshmi was found abandoned in a Kannur-bound KSRTC bus in Ernakulam. On the examination, police found that the phone was owned by Vijayalakshmi and Jayachandran regularly contacted her on the number. On questioning Jayachandran, he confessed that he killed and buried the body in the compound of his neighbour, where the construction of the house is taking place. Vijayalakshmi Police said that the murder occurred in a conflict following the suspect that she had a relationship with another person. Jayachandran allegedly called Vijayalakshmi to his house, saying he would visit the Ambalappuzha temple. At the time of the incident, Jayachandran's wife and child were not home. Police said Jayachandran killed Vijayalakshmi by hitting her on the head with an iron road and then buried her in a construction site. He allegedly dragged her body to the building under construction for burial. Vijayalakshmi had been living separately from her husband. Vijayalakshmi was murdered on the night of November 6, police said. Jayachandran is a fisherman and he regularly reached Azheekkal harbour near Karunagapally and Vijayalakshmi was a worker in the harbour. They have been in a relationship for the past two years. Police suspect that they have financial dealings too.

Malappuram crowned science fair champions, Kannur came second

ALAPPUZHA: Malappuram emerged overall champions in the 56th State Schools Science Fair, which concluded in Alappuzha on Monday, securing 1,450 points in 180 competitions held over the past four days. Kannur came second with 1,412 points, while Kozhikode came third with 1,353 points. Agriculture Minister P Prasad and Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian distributed prizes to the winners. This is the first time a trophy in the name of Education Minister has been introduced in the fair for the top district. In school-level competitions, Durga HSS, Kanhangad, Kasaragod, emerged as overall champions, scoring 140 points. Sacred Heart HSS, Dwaraka, Wayanad, was second with 131 points, while FMG HSS, Koombanpara, Idukki was third with 126 points. At the regional-level vocational expo competitions, Thrissur region was named overall championship with 67 points. Kollam was second with 66 points, and Ernakulam followed in third place with 60 points. MLAs P P Chitaranjan and H Salam, municipal chairperson K K Jayamma, District Collector Alex Varghese, Public Education Department additional director C A Santhosh attended the valedictory function.

Two held on charge of online share trading fraud in Kannur

Complainants brother, residing abroad, was lured into the scheme through trading instructions sent via WhatsApp

Malappuram maintains lead in State School Science Festival

Malappuram leads with 968 points, followed by Kannur and Kozhikode districts which scored 935 and 922 points respectively

Two theatre artists die in accident in Kannur

KANNUR: Two theatre artists died and 12 others were injured after a minibus carrying their troupe overturned and fell into a pit while negotiating a sharp curve at Kelakam in Kannur on Friday. The deceased are Anjali, 32, of Kayamkulam and Jessi Mohan, 59, of Thevalakkara in Kollam. They were actors with the Kayamkulam Deva Communications drama troupe. The accident took place around 3.30am. The minibus overturned at an S bend on Kelakam Malayampadi Road. Nine of the injured persons are being treated for fractures, while three were discharged. The Kelakam police said the drivers unfamiliarity with the area led to the accident. With the Nedumpoil Ghat road closed for reconstruction, the driver opted for an alternate route but got disoriented. The bus veered off the narrow, descending road and plunged into an adjacent pit, said a Kelakam police official. Residents blamed Google Maps for the accident. The bus took an easy route shown on the map, said P Shaji, a resident. Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian said all required medical facilities will be provided to the injured persons. He also announced an immediate aid of Rs 25,000 for the bereaved families.

Protests brew as conduct of festivals faces uncertainty in Kerala

THRISSUR : At a time when fans are working hard to make Thrissur Pooram and other major festivals a memorable experience for participants, it seems the authorities are hell bent on dampening the festival spirit by enforcing impractical rules. If one sticks to the rule that the crowd has to be at a distance of 8m from the elephant parade, it would lead to difficult situations in the conduct of festivals. While the ultimate objective of all stringent rules is welfare of animals, it seems the rules are too harsh to the extent of putting an end to age-old festivals in the state. According to Rajesh G, secretary of Paramekkavu devaswom, It is totally impossible to conduct Thrissur Pooram adhering to the new set of rules. We urged the central and state government to intervene in the matter so that the next pooram can be organised without any issues. Thiruvambady devaswom secretary Girishkumar K also sought support of central and state governments in resolving the present situation. The devaswoms are planning to initiate necessary action to take the matter to the court so that the ground-level situation could be presented before the judges who issued the order. He added that as organisers of Thrissur Pooram they would move a review petition against the recent verdict. Samasrishti formed Animal rights organisations in the state have joined hands to form a new outfit named Samasrishti-Federation of Animal Rights Organization of Kerala to fight for the protection of animal rights. The organisations include SPCA Idukki, Heritage Animal Task Force, People For Animals Thiruvananthapuram, PAWS Thrissur, PAW Kannur, SEW Kannur, WEFAA Thrissur and ARROW Pathanamthitta. Samasrishti has been formed as the legal battle and awareness programmes that the organisations conduct separately seem to be insufficient to achieve necessary results, said the office-bearers of the new organisation including M N Jayachandran, Sushama Prabu, and Preethi Srivalsan.

Kerala school students raise slew of waste management issues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 75,000 students took part in the Kuttikalude Haritha Sabha (childrens green assembly) organised by Local Self-Government Department to ensure the involvement of children in waste management on the occasion of Childrens Day on Thursday. Haritha Sabhas were held as part of the campaign - Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam - that aim to transform Kerala into a zero-garbage state by March 30, 2025. Students raised a slew of waste management-related issues in their localities and educational institutions at the event. One of the many issues raised by the students was the failure of Haritha Karma Sena to remove the collected waste. A slew of issues were raised and they have noticed the piled-up waste collected by Haritha Karma Sena members in their locality and demanded a solution. The issues included proper waste disposal mechanism at their school, cleaning up of water bodies in their locality, drinking water quality checking at schools, collection of waste from institutions and more, said an official of Haritha Keralam Mission. On Thursday, around 500 local bodies across the state organised Haritha Sabha in district including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kannur and Kasaragod. Owing to election code of conduct, the date of the Haritha Sabha has been postponed in some of the panchayats and will be organised in the coming days. We are yet to get the details of all Haritha Sabhas held in many districts, the official added. The local bodies will be addressing the issues raised by the students. Students are getting the opportunity to assess and evaluate the waste management carried out by the local bodies, the official added.

Kerala spends highest out-of-pocket expenditure on health in India

KOCHI: Increased incidence of lifestyle diseases and high cost of diagnostic tests, coupled with the disappearance of not-for-profit hospitals and peoples reluctance to opt for government medical institutions have pushed Keralas out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare to the highest among states, a recent survey has revealed. Out-of-pocket expenses are costs a patient pays for medical care not covered by their health insurance. As per the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey 2022-23 by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Keralas out-of-pocket expenditure for hospitalised treatment per household is Rs 8,655 in rural and Rs 10,341 in urban areas, while per person, it is Rs 2,368 and Rs 2,939, respectively. The national average per household is Rs 4,129 (rural) and Rs 5,290 (urban) and per person is Rs 950 and Rs 1,446, respectively. The out-of-pocket expenditure for non-hospitalised treatment is also high in Kerala with each household in rural and urban areas spending Rs 1,177 and Rs 1,163, respectively, and a person spending Rs 322 and Rs 330, respectively. Though the states growing elderly population is a reason, experts argue that prevalence of lifestyle diseases among the working group is a major contributor to the rise in spending. Incidence of lifestyle diseases among people aged between 19 and 69 years is a major factor contributing to the increase in hospital care expense, said M M Abbas, a Kochi-based health activist. Dr D Narayana, an economist and statistician, said Kerala also has a high percentage of people with non-communicable diseases. High individual expense on healthcare worrisome: Expert Hospital stay and expenses would be higher here for treatments just before death. The proportion of people who visit hospitals is higher in Kerala. Patients diagnosed with a lifestyle disease will have to take lifelong treatment, he said. Narayana emphasised that outpatient visits are not covered under health insurance, burdening patients. Kerala allocates maximum money for healthcare. Hence, the high individual out of pocket expense is worrisome, he said. Kerala has improved the infrastructure and quality of services at government hospitals, but the number of people visiting private hospitals is high. Considering their social status, most people visit private hospitals, Narayana said. Emergence of corporates is another reason behind the rising healthcare burden, opined experts. Dr Bhaskar Rao, head of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), which began operations in Kerala recently after acquiring Sreechand Hospital in Kannur and Westfort Hospital in Thrissur, said hospitals make transplants and other procedures available. Primary and secondary hospitals should continue to function. They are less expensive for common people, who can visit for fever or other issues, Rao said, adding that primary and secondary healthcare institutions and tertiary and quaternary establishments have to be complementary to each other. When small-scale hospitals are closed down or merged and large-scale hospitals become prominent, it affects treatment cost. Abbas said the cost of medicines and diagnosis is also high. There were several mission hospitals in Kerala, but most have gone extinct. We have many corporate hospitals. This will definitely affect treatment cost and accessibility to healthcare, he said. Dr Bhaskar said the healthcare expenditure, with advanced technologies and better-diagnostic facilities, will be higher.

K.K. Ratnakumari elected Kannur district panchayat president; P.P. Divya absent during voting

Former president P.P. Divya notably absent from voting reportedly due to bail conditions following legal complications related to death of former ADM Naveen Babu

E P Jayarajan in news for wrong reasons on yet another polling day

KANNUR: After the row over his alleged meeting with BJP leader Prakash Javadekar surfaced on the 2024 Lok Sabha election day in the state, CPM central committee member E P Jayarajan has found himself, and the party, in an awkward situation on another polling day. The controversy that emerged on Wednesday centres around an autobiography attributed to Jayarajan , which reportedly contains pointed criticism of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government and the LDF candidate for the upcoming Palakkad by-election, P Sarin. DC Books announced the book, titled Kattan Chayayum Parippu Vadayum - Oru Communistinte Jeevitham, on its social media handle at 9pm on Tuesday, on the eve of the by-elections in Chelakkara and Wayanad. Tagging EP in the post, the publisher said the book reveals many unpleasant truths. However, after Jayarajan publicly disavowed the book, DC Books issued another post on Wednesday morning delaying the release -- citing technical issues. It added that the books content would be clarified upon publication. DC also untagged EP from the initial post. Despite the postponement, a PDF version of the purported book was circulated widely on social media, with excerpts put out and discussed by various media. The book criticises the LDF governments Nava Kerala Sadas, deeming it unnecessary, and takes aim at Sarin and P V Anvar, the former LDF-backed MLA from Nilambur. Referring to Sarin, the book says, Just the day before, Dr P Sarin was expected to be the UDF candidate. When he was denied a ticket, he swiftly switched to the LDF. There are times when exploiting a breach in the enemy camp pays off, but such a strategy can fail just as many times. P V Anvars being a case in point. Conspiracy alleged, legal notice sent to DC Books The book expresses discontent over Jayarajans removal as LDF convenor, suggesting his counsel was ignored by the party. EP filed a complaint with the DGP over what he termed the distribution of fake versions of what was being described his autobiography and the propagation of disinformation. According to the complaint, EP has not yet completed his autobiography nor has he authorised its publication. He termed the timing of the release as part of a conspiracy to take aim at the party and himself. Jayarajan also sent a legal notice to DC Books demanding withdrawal of the alleged extracts of his autobiography. The notice also demands an apology from the concerned parties. Addressing mediapersons, Jayarajan said, DC CEO Ravi Deecee was unaware of the social media post. I havent finished writing my autobiography. How could anyone publish an unfinished work without my permission? A trusted journalist was assigned to edit my writing, but I would never publish an autobiography without reviewing it fully. The title and cover are undecided, and words I havent written are being attributed to me. This controversy is aimed at character assassination and demeaning the CPM. Only a thorough investigation will uncover the people behind it. The CPM also came to the defence of EP. CPM state secretary M V Govindan said there is no reason to disbelieve EPs stand on the controversy. Speaking to reporters, Govindan said the media is fabricating news to target the CPM and DC Books is part of it. He added that people doesnt need the partys permission to publish books. At a press conference in Kannur, KPCC president K Sudhakaran said that EP is getting back at the CPM for removing him as LDF convenor. DC Books wont publish anything that wasnt verified by EP, who is looking to jump ship to the BJP, he added.

African swine fever: culling of pigs complete at Kottiyur in Kannur

A 48-member rapid response team led by District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. V. Prasanth and Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. P. Biju oversaw the culling of 193 pigs across three farms

Temple sets example by introducing mechanical elephant to honour tradition and preserve wildlife

Inspired by the Irinjadappilly Sri Krishna Temple in Thrissur, the temple trustees collaborated with PETA to bring Sankaranarayan to Kannur

Controversy erupts in Kerala over unpublished autobiography of CPI(M) leader E P Jayarajan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As voting progresses in the crucial bypolls for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and the Chelakkara Assembly constituency, a fresh controversy erupted in Kerala on Wednesday over the yet to be published autobiography of veteran CPI(M) leader E P Jayarajan. This morning, some channels broadcast excerpts from the purported autobiography, which included critical remarks about the LDF government and the Marxist party. As the matter triggered a major political row on bypoll day, Jayarajan came out strongly rejecting the contents of the book and claimed that it was not penned by him. According to the contents of the unpublished book broadcast by the local media, the Kannur strongman has reportedly expressed disappointment with the party's decision to remove him as LDF convenor and his displeasure at the choice of former KPCC digital media convenor P Sarin as the LDF independent candidate in Palakkad. The book, titled Kattan Chayayum Parippuvadayum: The Life of a Communist is reportedly being published by a well-known publisher who released its cover page on its social media handle on Tuesday. They also announced earlier that the book would be published on Wednesday. However, it clarified that the release was postponed due to some technical issues. Rejecting the contents of the yet-to-be-published book, Jayarajan said he is still writing his autobiography and that it is yet to be completed. He said that two publishers, including the one who announced its release, have approached him for publishing rights, but he has not granted them to anyone. These excerpts are just baseless nonsense. I have not written anything like this in my book and never intended to write anything of the sort, Jayarajan told media. He also called the release of these portions of the book on election day as a deliberate move and said it should be investigated how the publisher obtained such content. While, LDF candidate in Chelakkara U R Pradeep maintained that he had no information about the development and the party leadership would respond to the row, Congress leaders were quick to react, saying that the infighting and differences among CPI (M) leaders became exposed through this. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the content of the book, released on the election day, has great political significance. T Siddique MLA said Jayarajan's reported remarks in the book would influence the voting in Chelakkara and Wayanad bypolls. A central committee member of the party, Jayarajan was removed as LDF convenor recently. The action followed his meeting with BJP Kerala in-charge Prakash Javadekar, which triggered a major political storm in the state.

Whats happening in Kerala is Waqf Boards land jihad

PALAKKAD: Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya was in Palakkad campaigning for NDA candidate C Krishnakumar as the front fancies its chances in the assembly by-election. The BJP leader shared his thoughts with TNIE. Excerpts. Palakkad is considered BJPs Class-A constituency. What are your expectations? We will definitely win this election. Last time, we lost this seat by just around 3,000 votes because both UDF and LDF cross-voted to sideline the BJP. This time also they will do it. But the voters are aware about it and our karyakartas are working hard to ensure the votes. BJP has maintained control of the Palakkad municipality for consecutive terms. Now Palakkad is drawing national attention. Is it a matter of prestige for the BJP leadership? Absolutely. The people of Palakkad blessed the BJP with the municipality. Palakkad is the stronghold of the party. The party earlier fielded a very senior leader, E Sreedharan, and this time also fielded a senior one, C Krishnakumar. Workers are optimistic that BJPs success in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat will positively impact the Palakkad assembly election. What are the main challenges for BJP in Kerala? After the victory in Thrissur, I think a new chapter in BJPs history was opened in Kerala. It has given a lot of confidence to our karyakartas. The people are slowly accepting BJP. In the case of Palakkad, it neighbours Thrissur. The impact of that victory is going to resonate in Palakkad. One major challenge for BJP is whenever BJP is coming close to victory, both Communist and Congress parties come together and do vote transfer to prevent BJP from winning. The Waqf Board issue has been a significant topic for BJP... Whats happening in Kerala is the Waqf Boards land jihad. In Munambam, 400 acres have been claimed by the Waqf Board. Large villages which dont have a single muslim family, but only Christian families, are declared as Waqf property. In Mananthavady in Wayanad, five acres are being claimed, and in Taliparamba in Kannur, around 600 acres including the famous Rajarajeswara temple are being claimed. Waqf Board also claimed land in Noorani and Kalpathy in Palakkad. Waqf Board is a secular board, but its encroachment is towards Hindu properties and Christian properties. All these encroachments are done for Muslim vote banks. Both UDF and LDF are shamelessly supporting these illegal encroachments. So, I request both the Hindu and the Christian community to come together to oppose this illegal encroachment by the Waqf Board. What key messages do you plan to convey to the voters? Krishnakumar ji is a local candidate. He is very committed to the calls of development in Palakkad. Palakkad has heritage and history, and is a very important place in Kerala in terms of its culture. If you elect a party like Congress or Communist, they will destroy these because they have no vision and they are all corrupt. So, electing Krishnakumar is development for Palakkad and support for a local person. Moreover, electing Krishnakumar is for supporting the local culture and for defeating Waqf encroachments.

Veteran Congress leader M T Padma passes away at 81

KOZHIKODE: Veteran Congress leader and former minister M T Padma passed away on Monday at her daughters residence in Mumbai due to age-related health complications. She was 81. The cremation is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in her hometown, Kozhikode. Born in Kannur, Padma emerged as a prominent figure in Keralas political landscape through her dedication to public service. She began her political journey with KSU during her law college days. She served as the KSU vice-president, a role that marked her entry into active political work amid a highly charged period for student politics. In 1982, she contested in Nadapuram under the directive of K Karunakaran, the then-Congress leader, though she lost by a margin of approximately 2,300 votes. Her persistence paid off, and she successfully contested the Koyilandy assembly seat in both 1987 and 1991, marking a significant rise in her political career. During the 1991 UDF cabinet under K Karunakaran, Padma held key portfolios, including fisheries and rural development, where she advocated for the welfare of coastal communities and rural areas. Padma also contested the Palakkad parliamentary constituency in 1999 but suffered defeat, followed by another loss in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections in Vadakara, where she lost by a margin of 1,30,000 votes. However, her political journey was marked by resilience and dedication. She maintained a close rapport with K Karunakaran and briefly joined the Democratic Indira Congress (DIC) before rejoining the Congress party. Her contributions as an opposition leader in Kozhikode corporation and her ability to raise issues that affect the public, especially fisherfolk, were widely acknowledged. MP M K Raghavan described Padma as a leader who embodied sincerity, dedication, and a firm commitment to feminist ideals in public life. Raghavan highlighted her personal connection with Kozhikode, a city she devotedly served despite her roots in Kannur. He remembered her efforts in establishing the Koyilandy Fish Landing Centre and the Koyilandy Fisheries Technical School, initiatives that showcased her commitment to the welfare of coastal communities and Keralas development. Padma leaves behind a legacy as Keralas third woman minister and one of its most respected Congress leaders. Her work with KSU, her service as MLA, and her commitment to the uplift of the underprivileged earned her admiration across political lines.

Waqf land dispute escalates to wider areas

KOTTAYAM: As the Roman Catholic Church intensified its protests in the Munambam land dispute, the issue has been escalating to wider areas with Waqf Board sending notice to five families in Thavinjal grama panchayat near Mananthavadi in Wayanad. The notices were issued following a complaint received on October 10, stating 4.7 acres in 5.77 acres of Waqf land had been encroached upon by the five families. They have been asked to submit relevant documents by November 16. This apart, a video circulating in the Catholic Churchs YouTube channel alleged that Waqf is now staking claim on around 250 acres of land in Taliparamba in Kannur as well as land owned by a Musilm family in Thalassery in Kannur, which is under the threat of eviction due to Waqfs claims. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has decided to intensify its demand for the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The Church is of the view that bringing specific amendments to the Waqf Act is the key to resolving the disputes related to land rights. Fr Antony Vadakkekkara, public relations officer of the Syro-Malabar Church, expressed the Churchs desire for an amendment in the Act to ensure equal justice for all. Munambam is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Now the dispute at Thavinjal panchayat in Wayanad has come out. According to reports available, Waqf land issues persist in 23 locations across Kerala with Munambam ranking 15th on the list. It is concerning to see individuals who had legally purchased and owned land for many years are now facing potential eviction due to claims made by Waqf, warranting proper amendments to ensure equal justice for all, he said. The Church has also put forth a demand to political parties to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, in view of Waqf land disputes being reported from more areas, including the latest one at Thavinjal panchayat in Wayanad district. CM Pinarayi promises permanent solution to Munambam residents in dispute over Waqf claim The Church has also started a campaign through social media targeting the UDF and LDF MPs who opposed the amendments to the Bill during their speeches in Parliament. In a video, Fr. Antony Tharekadavil, priest at Thalassery diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, argues against the claims of UDF MPs K C Venugopal, N K Premachandran, E T Muhammed Basheer as well as CPMs lone Lok Sabha member from Kerala K Radhakrishnan, to oppose the amendments proposed by the Centre. This move seems to have major political implications amid reports of the Church tending towards BJP. By highlighting various sections in both the old and new Bills, the Church argues that many issues can be resolved with the introduction of these amendments. Speaking to TNIE, Fr Tharekadavil said while the amendments in the Bill provide some temporary relief, a more permanent solution can only be achieved through the enactment of a clear-cut Act. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 eliminates the concept of Waqf by user, that pertains to property that is used for religious or pious purposes even if there is no evidence of a normal claim. Additionally, the amendment empowers the district collector to investigate disputes regarding Waqf claims on a property and present a report to the government with a resolution, he said. Notices issued The Kerala State Waqf Board has issued notices to five families in Thavinjal, Wayanad, accusing them of encroaching on 4.7 acres of a 5.77-acre Waqf property The notice warns that legal action will be taken under the Waqf Act to reclaim the land The notices were issued to V P Salim, C V Hamza, Jamal Kunnakkadan, Rahmath, and Ravi, all residents of Thalapuzha ward in Thavinjal panchayat

Swine flu confirmed at Kottiyoor in Kannur; pigs on three farms to be exterminated

Kannur ADM death: P.P. Divya appears before police as per bail conditions

Thalassery Sessions Court, while granting her bail, had stipulated that P.P. Divya must report to police station every Monday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

M V Jayarajan softens stand on P P Divya

KANNUR: Apparently softening the partys stand on P P Divya, Kannur CPM district secretary M V Jayarajan has said there were two versions on the bribery allegation against late ADM Naveen Babu. There are two sides to the allegation. One side says Naveen took bribe and the other insists he wasnt involved in such misconduct. This is why the government is conducting a detailed investigation. We need to know the truth, Jayarajan told reporters on the sidelines of the CPM Peringome area committee conference on Saturday. He said the people need to know whether former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divyas speech led to Naveens death. The CPM in Kannur, Pathanamthitta, and its state leadership stand with Naveens grieving family. However, our presence with the ADMs body was not about us taking sides, he said. On reports that Divya was planning to approach the party control commission challenging the action taken against her, Jayarajan said: Divya has accepted the party action against her. How then can she tell the media that she was discarded like a curry leaf. The media is not getting the response it wants from party leaders and is hence spreading fake news against it. Divya herself had rejected the media claims via a Facebook post. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties alleged that the CPM was trying to protect Divya, which was why Jayarajan had softened his stance on the matter. Former district panchayat president P.P. Divya denied bail in ADM suicide case

Kerala school sports meet: Thiruvananthapuram all set to emerge overall champions

KOCHI: Thiruvananthapuram is all set to become champions with 1,924 points in the Kerala School Sports Meet that has been going on in Ernakulam for the past seven days. Thrissur is emerging as the first runner-up with 832 points and Kannur as the second runner-up with 750 points. Besides dominating the swimming pool, Thiruvananthapuram stands tall with 144 gold, 88 silver and 100 bronze. While Thrissur won 73 gold, 56 silver and 75 bronze, Kannur got with 67 gold, 61 silver and 66 bronze. Malappuram stands at the fourth position with 568 points followed by Palakkad with 522 points. All 526 events at the games were completed by Saturday. At the close of day 7 of the sports meet, 43 meet records both in aquatics and athletics were broken. K Akhila jumps high and long to grab gold medals K Akhila of GV Raja Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram, appeared to be a natural at the jumping pit. Though she couldnt match her best performance of 1.63m in the high jump, she cleared the bar at 1.53m to clinch the gold medal in the senior girls event. The Palakkad resident also won gold in long jump with an effort of 5.54m. Foul in hurdles didnt hold Gayathri back N G Gayathri overcame her despair over getting disqualified in the 80m hurdles after fouling her start to win a gold in the sub-junior girls long jump event with a jump of 5.14m. She is a student of St Thomas HSS, Thrissur Servan K C of Kuttamath GHSS, Kasaragod, competing in the junior boys shot-put at the Kerala State School Sports Meet in Kochi on Sunday. He broke the meet records in shot-put and discus throw | pics by a SANESH Clean and comfortable accommodation gets students, teachers praise Students and teachers expressed their happiness over the clean and safe accommodation provided by the officials at the first Olympic-style state school sports meet. The accommodation for the students and officials was arranged at 17 centres. Besides this, eight schools had been reserved as stand-by. The arrangement saw 71 schools getting divided into seven clusters. More than 3,000 people were provided additional accommodation during the first two days of the inclusive sports events. In the last seven days, 24,000 people, including children and officials, were accommodated in the city. A clean sports meet The states first Olympic-style school sports meet was successfully held as a completely green event. More than 200 student volunteers or green volunteers at 17 venues in the district actively ensured that the green protocol was adhered to. Clad in a special uniform comprising a green t-shirt and cap, they were always vigilant to ensure the implementation of the Green Code under the leadership of the head teachers association. Separate bins were installed at all venues to sort and collect organic and inorganic waste, including the food waste from the canteen. Red bins were set up for collecting and depositing plastic waste and green bins for depositing organic waste.

Kerala: Madrassa teacher arrested for branding student with iron box

Kannur: A Madrassa teacher was arrested for allegedly branding a student with an iron box in this north Kerala district, police said on Saturday. Umair Ashrafi, hailing from Tanur in neighbouring Malappuram district, was also accused of smearing chilli powder on the private parts of the boy, alleging disobedience, they said. As the student lodged Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Madrassa teacher in Kerala held for branding student with iron box

Kannur (Kerala): A Madrassa teacher was arrested for allegedly branding a student with an iron box in this north Kerala district, police said on Saturday. Umair Ashrafi, hailing from Tanur in neighbouring Malappuram district, was also accused of smearing chilli powder on the private parts of the boy, alleging disobedience, they said. As the student lodged a complaint with the police recently, the accused fled from the state and was staying in hideouts in various places in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Based on a tip-off that he was coming to his home district from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, a police team reached Tanur and waited for his arrival on Thursday. Though Ashrafi tried to run away on seeing the police, he was later caught. Kannavam police arrested him and booked him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Ashrafi was produced before a local court here which remanded him to judicial custody on Friday, police added.

Thiruvananthapuram rules the pool, extends meet domination at Kerala School Sports Meet

KOCHI: Thiruvananthapuram continued its domination on Day 5 of the Kerala School Sports Meet, increasing its aggregate points tally to 1,776. Thrissur is way behind with 708 points, while Kannur is placed third with 618 points. Friday marked the completion of the aquatic programme with medallists for 103 events under various categories identified. In track and field, 15 of the 29 events were decided by the end of the day. The meet has so far seen 37 new meet records -- 32 in the pool and five in athletics. TPuram dominates pool Thiruvananthapuram garnered 654 points in aquatics, winning 74 gold, 56 silver and five bronze. Athletes of Thundathil MVHSS contributed 27 gold to the haul. Among the capital districts swimmers, Abhinav S and Mongam Theerdhu Samdev, with their three meet records, stood out. Ernakulam was placed second with 162 points. Its medal count was 13 gold, 21 silver and 12 bronze. Kottayam came in third with 90 points. A mothers dream come true On the track, Krishnapriyas dream came true when her daughter Archana S won gold in the junior girls 3,000m race. Archana is a student of Palakkad Mundur HS. She overcame many of the obstacles that life threw her way to mark this achievement. My small earnings have limited the comforts that I have provided my daughter, said Krishnapriya, adding that she is proud and happy with her daughters achievement. Varsha S of GVHSS, Pirappancode, Thiruvanathapuram, competing in the senior girls butterfly stroke. She set a meet record | A Sanesh Archanas coach, N S Sijin, also guided former international P U Chitra. Twenty-two of his wards from Palakkad, including S Jagannathan, who won gold in the 3,000m junior boys walk, are competing in this years school sports meet. Most of the Palakkad athletes hail from economically backward families. Jeena vaults to a record Jeena Basil, who won gold in the senior girls pole vault, broke the meet record by clearing 3.43m. She is a Plus-Two student of Kothamangalam Mar Basil School. Jeenas success was also achieved amid financial hardships. She has been participating in competitions with the help of school authorities and her neighbours. Jeena also won gold at the National School Games held in Patna, Bihar. Hailing from Oonunkal, in Kothamangalam, she is the daughter of Basil Varghese and Manju, who are farmers. Following in dads footsteps J Nivedkrishna repeated his fathers feat by winning gold in the junior boys 100m. A Plus-One student of Palakkad Chittoor Govt HSS, he clocked a time of 10.98 sec. His father S Jyotiprakash had won gold in the 100m and 200m events at the 1997 state school sports meet held at Kalamassery, Ernakulam.

I will prove my innocence in court, says former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya

KANNUR: Former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya, who is the accused in the case related to the death of former ADM Naveen Babu, has expressed the hope that she would get an opportunity to prove her innocence in court. Emerging out of the womens prison at Pallikkunnu near here on Friday evening after getting bail, Divya said she too is pained by the death of the ADM. I have been in public life for two decades and I interact with officials only with good intention, she told reporters outside the jail. I believe in the law and will present my side in the court. Like Naveen Babus family I too wish that a fair probe should take place in the case, she said. Kannur ADM death: CPM removes P P Divya from all party posts Earlier, District Principal and Sessions Court, Thalassery, granted bail for Divya after she remained in custody for ten days. While granting bail, Judge K T Nizar Ahammed said, Merely because the sentiments of the community are against the accused, bail cannot be denied. The same court had rejected Divyas petition for anticipatory bail earlier. The court released her on condition of executing a bond for Rs one lakh and presenting two solvent sureties for the like sum. The court also directed Divya to appear before the investigating officer every Monday. The court directed Divya not to leave Kannur without the permission of the court and not to influence the witnesses in the case. She was also directed not to get involved in any crime during the bail period, and was told to surrender her passport in court. Meanwhile, the CPM district committee issued a one-line statement saying that Divya has been removed from all elected posts in the party for behaving in a manner that brought ignominy to the party.

Theyyam calendar helps enthusiasts stay up to date in Kerala

KANNUR: Its that time of the year in northern Malabar. As the sacred groves, known as kavus, bustle with activity in preparation for festivities, numerous WhatsApp groups are busy coordinating the theyyam calendar for the season. One such group, Theyyam Calendar, has been providing timely updates on schedules at various kavus for the past ten years. With over 3,500 members, the group has become an essential resource for tourists visiting the region to experience the theyyam ritual. We are celebrating a decade in the service of theyyam enthusiasts. The group was started in 2014 with just a few members. Today, we have around 3,500 members. Many similar WhatsApp groups are operating under different names. Some groups function exactly like ours. Over the past few years, our group has become the go-to guide for many who wish to visit theyyam, said Prabakaran, founder of the Theyyam Calendar group. From Sineka, a native of Poland, who inspired me to start the group, to Sergei, a Russian who visits Malabar every year to experience theyyam, both foreigners and locals have found the Theyyam Calendar WhatsApp group incredibly helpful. Its worth mentioning that under the auspices of our group, weve been able to provide medical assistance when needed and honour Narayana Peruvannan, who received the Padma Sri, in a grand manner. Recalling the early days, he said, When the group began, it was challenging to get information about theyyam festivals. Members would collect posters from notice boards at Kavus and even visit bus stands to hear announcements. We took photos of the notices and shared them in the group. This year, to mark our 10th anniversary, we are issuing an online calendar on a limited scale, along with a digital weekly edition called Chayilyam. DTPC invites contributions from public for calendar In tandem with these efforts, the Kannur District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is collaborating with theyyam enthusiasts in northern Malabar to create an enhanced performance calendar. The DTPC has invited public contributions to compile a more detailed calendar that will include dates, locations, and maps. Rather than preparing a separate calendar each year, the DTPC is gathering information that can be updated annually. The calendar will be organised by taluk for easy access. In the next phase, the goal is to expand the calendar further by incorporating photo of kavus, as well as images and videos of theyyam performances.

Caucus in CMs office facilitated Divyas bail: V.D. Satheesan

Kannur Collector changed his statement after meeting with Chief Minister, says the Leader of the Opposition

ADM Suicide: P P Divya Granted Bail

CPM leader P P Divya receives bail in ADM Naveen Babu suicide case under strict conditions imposed by Kannur sessions court

kerala-court-grants-bail-to-cpim-leader-pp-divya-in-kannur-adm-naveen-babu-death-case

A Kerala court granted bail to CPI(M) leader P.P. Divya, remanded in connection with the death of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu on Friday. Divya is likely to get released from prison in the evening itself. Hearing her bail plea, Thalassery Principal District and Sessions Judge K.T. Nissar Ahammed granted relief to Divya on Friday in the case in which she is accused of abetting the suicide of the revenue official. Her anticipatory bail plea was rejected on October 29 following which she was arrested by police. Kannur police have registered a case against Divya for abetting the suicide of the revenue official. Kerala police has formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the case. The CPI(M) had removed Divya from the Kannur district panchayat president post following the case. Naveen Babu, the former ADM of Kannur was found dead in his official quarters on October 15, a day after his colleagues gave him a send-off following Babus transfer to his hometown Pathanamthitta. Allegedly, Divya, who attended the meeting uninvited, criticised Babu in connection with granting NOC for a petrol pump in Chengalai, Kannur and levelled corruption allegations against him. During the meeting, Divya had said she did not want to present a memento to Babu and added the reason for it would be revealed in two days. She left the meeting immediately after making the allegations. A departmental enquiry rubbished the corruption allegations against Naveen Babu.

Thalassery court grants bail to former panchayat president P P Divya in ADM suicide case

KANNUR: The Thalassery Sessions Court has granted bail to former district panchayat president P P Divya, who is the accused in the case related to the suicide of ADM Naveen Babu. Judge K T Nizar Ahammed pronounced the order on Friday, enabling the release of the CPM leader, who is now in judicial custody. She is currently lodged at the womens prison at Pallikkunnu in Kannur. The case against Divya is that her speech at the farewell function of the ADM was the reason behind the suicide. Naveen Babu died by suicide on October 15, the day after the incident. She has been charged with abetment of suicide under Section 108 of BNS. Divya surrendered before the police after the court dismissed her anticipatory bail plea . The CPM Kannur district committee on Thursday removed her from all elected party posts . She was a member of the Kannur district committee of the party. CPM leadership had asked Divya to resign from the post of district panchayat president soon after the suicide became a political controversy. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)

Kannur ADM death: Court grants bail to Kerala CPI(M) leader P.P. Divya

P.P. Divya, who was in judicial remand, moved a petition for regular bail after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by court on October 29

Thiruvananthapuram tops medal tally at school sports meet

KOCHI: At the end of the fourth day of the 21st Kerala State School Sports Meet, which saw athletics getting under way at Ernakulam Maharajas College ground in Kochi on Thursday, Thiruvananthapuram continued to dominate the points tally. Thiruvanathapuram tops in the overall score with 1,561 points, followed by Thrissur district with 596 points and Kannur with 551 points. A total of 27 meet records (23 in aquatics and 4 in athletics) have been broken since the start of the sports meet. In the track and field events, the first record fell when Muhammed Ameen M P of KKMHSS Cheekode in Malappuram sped to the finish line clocking 8:37:69. The others who broke the meet records in the sports meet were Mohammed Ashfaq of G V Raja Sports School in 400 m senior boys and Sivadev Rajeev of Mar Basil HSS Kothamangalam in pole vault senior boys category. Kozhikode wins senior boys volleyball trophy Kozhikode became the champions in the senior boys volleyball at the sports meet by defeating defending champions Kottayam. They won three sets to one. Sports ayurveda brings comfort to athletes The Kerala Institute of Sports Ayurveda and Research (KISAR) under the Indian System of Medicine and National Ayush Mission is providing on-the-spot treatment to those injured at the sports meet. The medical team is working at all 17 venues where the sports meet is being held. Around 200 staff, including 20 specialist medical officers and 60 medical officers, are on hand to treat the children. On the first day of the sports meet, 228 athletes sought treatment. It was 350 on the second day, said state convener Dr P R Preeta. TPuram boxers overcome injuries to win gold The smiles on the faces of Dhilkshith Ajay, Anandhu Sheejanand and Saikrishna E M of GV Raja Sports School erase the pain that these boys had to overcome to win the gold in the ring. They fought against the odds to come out victorious. Ecstatic teammates toss Kannur captain Sijil Shaji who scored six goals against Kozhikode in the senior girls football final at the Kerala State School Sports Meet. The Kannur team, which scored eight goals, was crowned champions Sadly, the autorickshaw that the trio was travelling in on Wednesday after the semi-final match was hit by a car. It was a miracle that these young boxers didnt suffer any serious injuries in the accident and could compete in their final matches. Dhilkshith, a class 9 student, won gold in the 57 kg junior boys category. Anandhu, a class 10 student won gold in the 54 kg junior boys category and 10th grader Saikrishna won gold in the 75 kg junior boys category. Kannur U19 girls champions in football Kannur won the under-19 girls football competition at the sports meet. The Kannur team, who played against Kozhikode became the champions by scoring eight goals. Kozhikode won the second place and Thrissur won the third place. Yummy food Right from the start of the sports meet, the famed chef of school youth festivals Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri and his team have been dishing up a delectable array of dishes. Around 300 people are working round the clock in the games kitchen. The food for everyone taking part and associated with the sports meet is being prepared at kitchens set up in six venues. There are 13 food counters. The food is being prepared as per the instructions provided by the nutritionist appointed by the Director General of Education. Besides rice and curries, the kitchens also make chappathi, chicken curry, beef curry, egg, milk and fruit bowls.

Kannur ADM death: CPM removes P P Divya from all party posts

KANNUR: The CPM Kannur leadership has decided to demote former district panchayat president P P Divya, the accused in the case related to the suicide of ADM Naveen Babu, from the district committee to the branch committee. She has been removed from all elected posts of the party. The decision was taken keeping the state leadership in the loop. The district committees action will be officially reported to the state committee for ratification and will come into force after it concurs with the decision. Divya was asked to resign from district panchayat president post soon after the death of Naveen Babu. But she remained in the district committee, which invited criticism from different quarters. CPM Pathanamthitta district committee has been arguing vociferously for organisational action against Divya. The Kannur district committee, in its meeting on Thursday, felt that there a was serious lapse on her part. Decision on Divyas bail plea today The main charge against Divya is that her speech at the farewell ceremony of the ADM held at the collectorate on October 14 led to Naveen Babus suicide on October 15. Divya is currently under judicial custody and is lodged at the womens prison at Pallikkunnu. The order on her bail plea will be passed by the Thalassery Sessions Court on Friday. She surrendered before the police after the petition for anticipatory bail was dismissed by the same court.

Palakkad division commissions first of 30 electric lifting barriers at level-crossing gates

LC gate at Jokatte and LC gates between Mangaluru Central and Kannur to be upgraded to EOLBs in a phased manner

Kannur: Woman Survives Miracle Fall from Moving Train

Kannur: Woman Survives Miracle Fall from Moving Train Kannur, Kerala: A chilling incident occurred at Kannur Railway Station in Kerala, highlighting the dangers of boarding moving trains. A young woman attempted to board a departing train but lost her balance and fell from the platform onto the tracks. CCTV footage captured the heart-stopping moment, showing [] The post Kannur: Woman Survives Miracle Fall from Moving Train appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Kerala school sports meet: Thiruvananthapuram dominates swimming, tops tally

KOCHI: As the 21st Kerala State School Sports Meet completed the third day, out of 529 events, 348 have been completed. On the third day, Thiruvananthapuram continued to dominate the points table. The district led with 91 golds, 76 silvers and 79 bronzes. It has scored 853 points. Kannur followed in the second position with 49 golds, 37 silvers and 51 bronzes with a total point of 469. Hosts Ernakulam stood 6th with 286 points. The swimming pool seemed to have been taken over by the swimmers from Thiruvananthapuram. The swimmers from the district gave no leeway to others and continued to rake in gold medals besides breaking records. On the 3rd day, after 56 of the 103 swimming events were completed, Thiruvananthapuram swimmers bagged 41 golds and stood far ahead of other districts with 353 points. Ernakulam came a distant second with 8 golds and 101 points. In aquatics, MVHSS Thundathil continued to dominate the pool and came out as the top achiever with 89 points. Athletics begins today The fourth day of the sports meet will see athletes setting the track of the main venue Ernakulam Maharajas College Stadium on fire. The athletics competitions will get under way on Thursday. In all, 2,700 athletes will participate in athletics competitions. Registration for the competitions started on Wednesday. Competitions for teachers will be held on the last day. Senior boys kho-kho final between Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram in progress at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Thoppumpady The athletics events will begin with the senior boys 5000m walk. This will be followed by senior girls 3000m walk and the junior boys 300m walk. Then sub-junior boys high jump, 400m run, shot put, 4x100m relay, sub-junior girls 400m run, long jump, shot put, 4x100m relay, junior boys pole vault, hammer throw, long jump, junior girls shot put, 3000m run, 400m run, high jump, long jump and 4100m relay events will be held. Senior boys long jump, 3000m run, 400m run, pole vault, hammer throw, high jump, 4x100m relay, senior girls discus throw, 3000m run, 400m run, high jump, javelin throw and 4x100m relay will also be held on Thursday. Athletics competitions will be completed in four days. Meanwhile, to enable everyone to enjoy the sports fiesta, Kite Victers TV Channel has begun the live telecast of the sports meet. 14 counters for registration Extensive facilities for registration for the athletics competitions have been arranged at Ernakulam Maharajas College Stadium. 14 counters have been prepared, one for each district. 80 per cent of the athletes registered on Wednesday. For the rest, the registration counter will reopen at 6 am on Thursday. Handball champions In the handball competition at the Kerala State School Sports Meet, Malappuram and Thrissur became the champions in the senior boys and senior girls categories. Malappuram came first by scoring 16 goals against the 14 scored by Kozhikode in the senior boys handball competition.

Whacky wanderers

KOCHI: TNIE meets a bunch of people who, consumed by wanderlust, have taken to travel in offbeat ways from a woman who has been exploring India in her lorry to a stunt rider who pedalled from Kanyakumari to Ladakh on a single-wheel bicycle Exploring the unknown Arunima I P has loved travelling from childhood. Now 25, she has visited 30 countries and has no intention of stopping until she has explored the entire world. Better known by her Instagram handle, @backpacker_arunima, she has been travelling for the past four years. Each day, I feel like a new person. Each day brings a new experience visiting new places, meeting new people, tasting new cuisine, she says. Over the past one-and-half years, she has visited 13 countries in Africa alone. Once, I got to learn about black magic in an African village, she laughs. I stayed with a family for one week and earned their trust. They treated me like family and shared their stories. Ethiopia and Angola are her favourites. In India, its Meghalaya. Arunima says she loves connecting with strangers while on solo trips. I travel by road as much as possible, hitching rides and staying with locals, she adds. I always try to make it budget-friendly, as social media promotions are my only source of income. One unforgettable experience, she recalls, was walking through an obscure rural area in Angola, about 1,500km from the capital, Luanda. Vehicles were rare, and there was barely any network. I was wandering aimlessly when two villagers on a bike came my way. They invited me to their home, Arunima says. Their hut was no bigger than an average Kerala kitchen. Yet they gave me space and shared their food with me. I will never forget their hospitality. Its people like them who inspire me to keep travelling. Where to next? I will soon be going to Indonesia. And then, I want to cover South America. Niharika Pramod Railway Man on road trip If you want quality time with yourself, travel. That has been Suresh Josephs dogma. I was awakened to this fact by my mother who was passionate about travel, says the 66-year-old, also known as the Railway Man for his long association with the Indian Railways. Notably, Suresh had played a huge role in setting up the transshipment terminal at Vallarpadam in Kochi, and is now helping DP World set up a container terminal at Kandla Port in Gujarat. Though he lists The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari as one of his favourite reads in his blog The Railway Man Who Sold His Maruti, Suresh still maintains a demanding job and a lovely family. But they dont curb his wanderlust. We give time to everyone but never to our own self. I do that during travels, says Suresh, who has undertaken several car expeditions, most within India and some abroad. Suresh holds 18 national and international driving records, including being the only person who has driven solo through the four longest highways in the world the Highway 1 in Australia, the Trans-Siberian Highway (the worlds second longest), the Trans-Canada Highway (the third longest), and the Indian Golden Quadrilateral, the fourth longest. His passion was sparked by his grandfather, in whose well-maintained Ambassador he travelled for long. Another memory that he says fuels his car journeys is a family Christmas road-trip from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram. Almost all his journeys have been on four-wheelers. He has driven from Kochi to London and Singapore, on the trans-Himalayan route, and on a Trans-Siberian expedition from Chennai to St Petersburg. When travelling through island countries, I hire a vehicle after reaching there, he says. I have so far done 59 countries, 45 of which I have driven in, he says. He has plans to tick 41 more countries before turning 70 a goal he calls 100@70. Next on the list, he says, is Iceland. Aparna Nair Pedalling against peddlers In what is likely the first ride of its kind, Saneed P P, from Kannur, rode a bicycle without a front wheel the entire length of the countryfrom Kanyakumari to the highest motorable road in the world, the Umling La pass in Ladakh. Nearly 5,000km. A wheelie, Saneed smiles. Thats what todays kids call it lifting the front wheel off the ground and riding on the rear wheel. In my bike, the front wheel was removed, he adds. I did it to spread awareness against the great threat to society today: drug abuse. The peculiarity of my journey turns eyes. Not just towards me, but also to the message. Indeed, throughout his journey, Saneed has been commended for his efforts and even featured in news programmes. However, the highlight was when the Border Roads Organisation invited him as a guest for a ceremony at Wagah. I got a chance to show my skills in front of a crowd there. Along with the soldiers! It is the biggest honour I could have, and I will cherish that memory, Saneed says. But the journey was not without its difficulties. Stiff neck and back pain were constant companions. Also, one time in Hanle, a gust of wind knocked me down and I had to seek medical attention, he recalls. Helping alleviate these pains were the wonders that the 23-year-old stunt rider saw on the road. Among them were the Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple, Harihar Fort, and the Konkan stretch. During chilly nights in Ladakh, Saneed spotted Starlink satellites and a shard of the Milky Way. What a sight it was! The journey, which began on December 15 last year, came to a close when Saneed unfurled the Indian flag he had been carrying at the Umling La pass milestone. On the way back, he says, The adventure is not over yet. Indeed, the road is long, and there are many more wonders to see. You can follow Saneeds adventures on Insta at @saneed_dbz. Ronnie Kuriakose Where i lay my head is home Some journeys can revive you, filling you with new purpose and excitement. Thats what happened to Chithran R from Kannur when, at 24, he set off hiking on November 1, 2022. Two years later, he is still on the road, having explored every corner of India and parts of Nepal. His only fuel is his love for travel. Mine is an ordinary family that could barely afford trips even within Kerala. But I always had this big dream of travelling, he says. To make it happen, I sold my bike, the only asset I had. I packed just one bag: some clothes, a small camera, a pair of shoes, trekking gear, a small gas stove, a solar panel and battery, and a tent all adding up to about 50kg. My plan was simple: walk wherever I could, hitchhike when possible, no hotel stays, and cook my own food. Chithran says there were days when he walked over 30km straight, sometimes even more. For the past six months, he has been travelling through the remote villages of Nepal, camping in his tent and relying on the hospitality of local villagers. When no other shelter is available, he would spend nights in bus stands, temples, or gurdwaras. He hikes mostly through hilly regions, remote villages, and forests. Once, in a Himachal village named Keylong, I got stuck for nearly a month due to severe cold. All roads were closed. I had to live in my tent, relying on a small gas stove for warmth, Chithran recalls. He dreams of walking through European countries and experiencing new cultures. Alongside this, he seeks to share the sights through his YouTube/Insta channels Travelogue by Chithran. Life itself is a journey. Isnt it better to experience it fully and with joy? I have met so many people and learned so much from each of them. Thats what makes life truly worth living, he says. I often get calls from elderly people who say, Son, we spent all our good years working for money and family. Watching you travel, we feel a deep longing. Now, even with the money, we cant live a life as fulfilling as yours. Such words keep me walking. Parvana K B India tour in a lorry Jelaja Ratheesh has always had a deep-seated desire to travel, especially to explore Indias diverse landscapes. So far, Jelaja has travelled to 22 states and six Union Territories. What sets her journeys apart is that shes done it in a lorry. For the past two years, Jelaja has documented her adventures on her YouTube channel, Puthettu Travel Vlog, named after her familys lorry business. My husband, Ratheesh, is a lorry driver who transports goods across several states. His travel anecdotes spurred my desire to hit the road. He once quipped that I should learn to drive a lorry. That was the beginning, laughs Jelaja, who hails from Ettumanoor, Kottayam. Armed with a heavy vehicle licence, she started her journey in 2022, driving to her dream destination, Kashmir, alongside her husband. Since then, her journeys have taken her across destinations such as Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Now, at 42, Jelaja has just Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur left on her Incredible India list. For Jelaja, what matters most are the people she meets along the way. I have experienced genuine kindness. Strangers have welcomed us into their homes, treating us like family, especially when we are stranded, she says. Jelaja adds that for the past 19 years, she was a homemaker whose life centred around family. I never did anything for myself, she says. To be honest, I started my life when I turned 40. Her grit has inspired her 20-year-old daughter Devika Ratheesh to also get a heavy vehicle licence and join the lorry trips. Mahima Anna Jacob

KIMS Hospitals expands into Kerala with plan for 3,000 new beds in five years

The initial steps include taking over Sreechand Hospital in Kannur and entering into an operations & management contract with Westfort Hospital in Thrissur

KSRTC to offer free emergency medical care in select depots

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSRTC has started an emergency medical care unit in Thiruvananthapuram Central as part of its plan to expand healthcare networks in its depots. Inaugurating the event, Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar said it was the first such initiative by a state RTC in a bus terminal in India. The unit offers the service of a nursing officer round-the-clock. The treatment and medicines are provided free of cost. The facility can be used by the public too. People in a 1-km radius from the depot will benefit from it, Ganesh said. NIMS Medicity will provide support for the Thiruvananthapuram unit. Ganesh said KSRTC is planning to start medical check-up for all employees using CSR funds. The check-up package will include cancer screening for women. He also stressed on maintaining bus stations clean to keep diseases away. KSRTC is focusing on punctuality, zero cancellations, clean toilets, rest rooms and good behaviours of staff to attract passengers. We want to show that public transport facilities are attractive, he said. KSRTC plans to set up 14 such units in depots in Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kottarakkara, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Sultan Bathery, Kannur, Kasaragod, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad and Thrissur, in association with the Society for Emergency Medicine India. Dr Shiju Stanley, president of SEMI (Kerala), said the emergency medical care units would help address the gap in providing pre-hospital treatment during an emergency. The units will also act as a centre for creating health awareness, he said.

IAS officers flay insinuations about Kannur Collector

Kerala ADM Suicide: Verdict Looms for PP Divya

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PP Divya, the former president of the Kannur district panchayat who is accused of abetting the suicide of ADM Jeevan Babu, will remain in the Women's Jail in Pallikkunnu. The Thalassery district court will pronounce its verdict on Friday. Divya, who surrendered 14 days post the ADM's demise, faces charges of abetment to suicide and has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The court heard the arguments from both defense and prosecution Divya's lawyer contended that the ADM had accepted a bribe from Prashanth, a petrol pump applicant who was subsequently suspended. The ADM had telephoned Prashanth, and they had met, with footage available from KTDC's hotel. He urged the court to consider bail, noting that Prashanth secured a gold loan of Rs 1 lakh from a cooperative bank on October 5, and both the ADM and Prashanth's mobile towers placed them at the same location on October 6, as indirect evidence. In the counterargument, the prosecution questioned the possibility of accepting a bribe solely based on a phone call. Prashant's suspension was not only due to the bribery allegation but also for indiscipline. How can the conversation between the ADM and Prashanth be considered proof of bribery? What evidence supports the claim that Prashanth obtained a bank loan to pay a bribe? The only assertion of the bribe being paid comes from Prashanth himself. The prosecution also mentioned that Naveen Babu, who joined the service at 19, has never faced bribery accusations. No delays occurred in the Kannur petrol pump file where the allegation surfaced. Hence, the question of corruption does not arise as there is no evidence or witnesses to confirm the payment of money. The lawyer for Naveen Babu's family contended that the police engaged in a game of hide and seek by not arresting Divya following the ADM's death. They failed to take the statement of the ADM's wife. Despite being served notices twice, Divya did not cooperate with the investigation. The assertion that Divya had no intention of causing suicide is untrue, he stated.

KSITIL seeks denotification of its SEZs in Kasaragod, Kannur

Governor seeks explanation from Kannur University on P.P. Divya

RSS leader Ashwini Kumar murder case: Kerala court finds one guilty, acquits 13 NDF activists

Ashwini Kumar, a Kannur district convener of Hindu Aikyavedi, was attacked by a group on March 10, 2005. Court to pronounce sentence on November 14

Thousands offer bali at Thirunelly in Wayanad

More than 10,000 devotees from the neighbouring Coorg district of Karnataka, as well as the Kannur and Kozhikode districts, visited Thirunelly for the rituals

Kannur ADM Death: P.P. Divya released into police custody

Former president of Kannur district panchayat will be in police custody till 5 p.m. on Friday. Thalassery Principal Sessions Court is set to consider Divyas bail plea

Kannur Collector let down his former colleague: Venugopal

Congress takes strong exception to Kannur Collectors character statement about Naveen Babu

ADMs death: Divya remanded in judicial custody for 14 days

She was arrested earlier in the day after she evaded authorities for 13 days amid allegations of abetting the suicide of ADM Naveen Babu. The arrest came after the Thalassery Sessions Court denied her anticipatory bail. Former Kannur district panchayat president will be housed in the womens section of the Kannur Central Jail

ADM suicide case: CPM leader Divya arrested by police, remanded

Sent to women's prison in Kannur Central Jail for 14 days

Kannur ADM Death: CPI(M) leader and former district panchayat president P.P. Divya taken into custody

Following her surrender, police transport Divya to Kannur Crime Branch office for questioning. She will undergo a medical examination before being presented in court

ADM's death: Kerala court rejects anticipatory bail plea of CPI(M) leader Divya

Kannur: A Kerala court on Tuesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of CPI(M) leader P P Divya, who is accused of abetting the suicide of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu. The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thalassery, K T Nissar Ahammed, issued the order rejecting the plea filed by Divya, who is the former president of the Kannur district panchayat. The details of the order are awaited. Attending his send-off function allegedly uninvited on 14 October, Divya had criticised Babu for delaying the approval of a petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and remarked that he granted approval only two days after being transferred, hinting that she knew the reasons behind the sudden approval. The following day, Babu was found dead at his quarters in Kannur. Divya moved the Thalassery Sessions Court on 19 October, seeking anticipatory bail after the police registered a case against her for abetting the suicide of the ADM under Section 108 of the BNSS. Babu's family welcomed the court's decision. Reacting to the verdict, Babu's widow Manjusha said, The person responsible for destroying our lives must be arrested, and we will go to any lengths to ensure justice. I have nothing more to say, but we will go to any extent, Manjusha told reporters at her residence in Malayalappuzha in Pathanamthitta district. During the hearing of her anticipatory bail plea, Divya had told the court that her remarks against the ADM were based on complaints of corruption she had received regarding him. Divya's lawyer had also informed the court that the Kannur District Collector had told her about the farewell ceremony for Babu and asked whether she would be attending, to which she had replied in the affirmative. Countering Divya's arguments, the prosecution submitted the Kannur District Collector's statement, which indicated that Divya was never invited to the ceremony and that he had requested her not to make any corruption allegations at the event. The lawyer representing Babu's family had stated that both he and the prosecution opposed Divya's bail plea, particularly since she was removed from the post of District Panchayat President by the CPI(M) after being booked for abetting the ADM's suicide. The lawyer had added that the prosecution strenuously opposed the bail plea on various grounds, including that Divya's act of making those allegations was pre-planned, that she could manipulate evidence, and that she was not cooperating with the Revenue Department's investigation. The prosecution had also informed the court that there were no corruption complaints against Babu.

Kannur ADM death: Sessions court denies anticipatory bail to former district panchayat president P.P. Divya

In her bail plea, P.P. Divya contended that her statements were not intended to harm ADM Naveen Babu

Firework mishap at Theru Anjootambalam Veererkavu temple injures over 100 people

Victims were initially treated at the Kasaragod District Hospital, with severe cases transferred to private hospitals in Mangaluru, Kannur, and Kannur Government Medical College

Kerala: 150 injured, 8 seriously, in fireworks accident at temple festival

Kasaragod (Kerala): Over 150 people were injured, including eight seriously, in a fireworks accident during a temple festival near Neeleswaram here late Monday, police said. The injured have been taken to various hospitals in Kasargod, Kannur, and Mangaluru, they said. It is suspected that the accident occurred when a fireworks storage facility near Veerarkavu Temple caught fire. The accident occurred around midnight, they said. Top district administration officials, including the collector and the district police chief, have reached the spot.

Authors urged to uphold high literary standards

Four-day book festival organised by the Kannur District Library Council Development Committee concludes

VENDA Cup 2024 inaugurated in Kannur

This years theme, Game for S.A.F.E. (Substance Abuse Free Environment), aligns with Project VENDAs mission to provide a safe, supportive platform for youth from underprivileged backgrounds to experience the joys of football

BJP, Congress protest against polices handling of ADMs death case in Kannur

Both parties question the integrity of the investigation, raise demands for accountability, and call for action against P.P. Divya

NCC best cadets from Kannur shine at State competition

The competition featured five groups from the Kerala-Lakshadweep Directorate, with 20 cadets from each group in the senior category and 10 in the junior category

Kannur district panchayat meeting descends into chaos amid calls for action against P.P. Divya

Opposition members demand P.P. Divyas expulsion and arrest in connection with the death of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu

Remove Divya from Kannur University senate, says fellow member

Divyas resignation as panchayat president disqualifies her from the senate membership, says senate member Shino P. Jose

CPI(M) State Secretariat meeting prioritises strategies for bypolls

Meeting also discusses situation concerning former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya

Kerala Government Suspends Petrol Pump Applicant

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Health Department has suspended T.V. Prasanth, a petrol pump applicant, following his allegations of bribery against former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, which led to the latter's tragic suicide. The suspension was based on two grounds: bribery and the violation of Service Rules that prohibit an employee from engaging in business while in service. Prasanth is an electrician at the government-run Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur. The Additional Chief Secretary and the Joint Director of Medical Education, who investigated Prasanth, have submitted their findings to Health Minister Veena George. The investigation revealed that Prashanth had been on unauthorized leave since October 10. Furthermore, he was found to be involved in private business activities for financial gain, which is a violation of the government staff's code of conduct. Considering his admission of bribing the late ADM Naveen Babu, the investigating officials have recommended stringent disciplinary action for offering a bribe to secure personal benefits. Based on the report from the probe official, the Director of Medical Education issued a suspension order on Saturday. Earlier, Prasanth had complained to the chief minister, alleging that he paid Rs 98,500 as a bribe to Naveen Babu for the No Objection Certificate (NoC) required to start a petrol pump in Chengalayi, in Kannur district. However, reports indicated several inconsistencies in Prasanth's statements, casting doubt on the authenticity of his claims. The former district panchayat president, P P Divya, who was not invited to the farewell event, brought up Prasanth's bribery allegations in front of the ADM, Collector, and other staff. Following the bribery accusations, Naveen Babu committed suicide, causing widespread protests throughout the state. Divya is currently evading arrest, with her bail application verdict expected on October 29.

ADMs death: Health dept. suspends Prashanth citing misconduct, violation of service rules

The temporary employee at Government Medical College, Kannur, applied for a petrol pump while in government service and he was allegedly involved in a bribery case, both in violation of govt. employees code of conduct

Kannur Urban Nidhi case: ED freezes 9.75 lakh in eight accounts

Kerala ADM death | A farewell, a death, and a political row

On October 15, an Additional District Magistrate, K. Naveen Babu, was found dead at his official residence in Kannur, Kerala. The previous evening, the local district panchayat president from the CPI(M) had gone to Babus farewell function and publicly accused him of being corrupt. Babus death by suicide has brought to light the differences in the CPI(M) and become an election issue, report Sajit C.P. and Hiran Unnikrishnan

SIT constituted to investigate into death of Kannur ADM

Kannur (Kerala): The Kerala police on Friday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged suicide of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu, whose death has sparked a political uproar in the southern state. Amidst widespread accusations, including from the opposition Congress-led UDF, against the state government and the ruling CPI(M) of protecting those behind Babu's suicide, the police constituted the SIT headed by Ajit Kumar, District Police Chief, Kannur City to probe the matter. The team will work under the direct supervision of the DIG, Kannur Range, said an order issued by the Inspector General of Police, Zonal office (North), Kozhikode. The other members of the SIT are -- Rethnakumar, ACP Kannur, Sreejith Kodery, IPSHO, Kannur Town PS, Sanal Kumar - IPSHO, Kannur City PS, Savyasachi, SI, Kannur Town PS, Reshma, SI, Vanitha PS and Sreejith, ASI, Cyber Cell, the order said. Babu's suicide occurred hours after CPM leader P.P. Divya's remarks linking him to corruption during the send-off meeting organised at the district collectorate in Kannur. Divya had alleged that he was involved in corrupt practices related to sanctioning a NOC for a petrol pump in Kannur district. Attending his send-off function uninvited on October 14, Divya had criticised Babu for delaying the approval of the petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and remarked that he approved only two days after being transferred, hinting that she knew the reasons behind the sudden approval. The next day, Babu was found dead at his quarters in Kannur. Amidst the raging row over his death, the Marxist party removed Divya as president of the Kannur district panchayat.

Special investigation team takes over probe into Kannur ADM Naveen Babus death

Kannur range DIG Rajpal Meena will oversee the investigation, with the supervision of north region IG K. Sethu Raman, following controversy surrounding the case

Kerala: P P Divyas Bail Plea Verdict Posted for October 29

Thiruvananthapuram: The Thalassery Principal Sessions Court has deferred the verdict on the anticipatory bail plea by former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya to October 29. She faces charges of abetment to suicide in the case of Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu, who was found dead in his official residence on October 15. The counsel Naveen Babu's family contended that Divya had made false accusations against the late ADM. They also suspect a connection between Divya and the petrol pump owner who accused Naveen Babu of bribery . The prosecution alleged that Divya had raised corruption allegations linking the ADM with the District Collector. However, the latter advised her that the farewell function was not the suitable venue for raising such issues. Additionally, the prosecution accused Divya of committing character assassination of the ADM. She was present at the farewell event uninvited and accompanied by a camera crew to record the proceedings. The prosecution highlighted Divya's menacing tone and her warning that the details of the corruption allegations would become apparent in two days. Divya's counsel argued that the allegations against her were without any basis. Her track record as an elected people's representative and the awards she received for her outstanding public services were presented before the court. The former district panchayat president had always taken a strong stand against corruption and did not believe that all government employees are corrupt, the defence argued. She stated that she had brought up the issue of corruption at the event from a positive standpoint. It was her responsibility to address such issues. Divya alleged a media witch hunt. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress accused the ruling CPM of shielding Divya. The Congress has called for a judicial probe into the circumstances leading to the death of ADM Naveen Babu. Veteran Congress leader and former home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan remarked that ten days have elapsed since the tragic incident, yet the police seem disinclined to detain Vidya for questioning. Despite the registration of a case of abetment to suicide against Divya, the police have not taken further action, which indicates the government's biased stance. The Kannur Town Police have filed a case against Divya under various non-bailable sections, including abetment to suicide, which could result in a jail term of up to 10 years. The CPM leadership removed her from the post of district panchayat president following the registration of the case.

Kerala CM Describes Kannur ADMs Death Painful

Reacts nine days after the incident, promises steps to prevent recurrence of such events

Quarters owner fined for failure to prevent mosquito breeding in Kannur

Kannur hosts States first transgender Aadhaar enrolment camp

One diagnosed with West Nile fever at Chengalai in Kannur; health authorities intensify mosquito control efforts

ADMs death: police record statement of Kannur Collector

Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, he reiterates that former district panchayat president P.P. Divya was not officially invited to the farewell event, contrary to her claims. He says he has no prior knowledge of any allegations against Naveen Babu, describing their working relationship as cordial

ADMs death: recording of Kannur Collectors statement put off

The statement of Prashanth, who accused the ADM of accepting bribe, re-recorded

Protests erupt in Kannur over ADMs death; Cong., BJP demand action

Demonstrations took place at multiple locations, with tensions escalating as protesters demanded accountability and action

ADM Death Case: Police questions petrol pump owner

Petrol Pump owner who accused Kannur ADM Naveen Babu of taking bribe, questioned by police Health deptt initiates probe against him for violation of service rules Thiruvananthapur: The Kannur Police on Monday recorded a statement from Prashanthan, who alleged that he had bribed the deceased Kannur ADM, Naveen Babu, to obtain a No-Objection Certificate for a petrol pump. Last week, Naveen Babu took his own life following bribery accusations made by former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya at a farewell event. Previously, Prashanthan had filed a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, claiming he had paid a bribe of Rs 98,500 to ADM Naveen for the No Objection Certificate (NoC) required to open a petrol pump in Chengalayi, Kannur district. He alleged that Naveen Babu had delayed granting approval on his application and had asked for a bribe of Rs 1 lakh on October 6. However, reports suggest that there are several inconsistencies in the statements given by Prashanthan triggering suspicion about the veracity of his allegations. Divya, an uninvited guest at the farewell event, mentioned Prashanthan's bribery allegations in the presence of the ADM, Collector, and other staff. She was removed from the position of district panchayat president following the tragic incident. Although a case of abetment to suicide was registered against her five days ago, the police are yet to take her into custody for questioning. Meanwhile, Divya has filed for anticipatory bail in the Thalassery court. The opposition UDF and BJP have accused the ruling CPM of protecting Divya. Health department probe The Kerala Health Department has begun an investigation into Prashanthan for operating a business. He works as an electrician at the state-operated Pariyaram Medical College. The college's service rules prohibit staff from engaging in business activities. Health Minister Veena George has declared that Prashanthan will face termination of employment if found in breach of these rules.

Kannur ADM Naveen Babu death: Sessions court adjourns hearing on P.P. Divyas anticipatory bail

Court directs that police records must be presented when the case is heard on October 24

ADM Naveen Babu death: Investigation team questions Kannur Collector

Collector Arun K. Vijayan earlier testified before Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue, denying any role in inviting P.P. Divya to controversial farewell event

Suresh Gopi calls for review on NOCs given to petrol pumps in State

Union Minister visits former Kannur ADMs house at Pathanamthitta

Historic milestone for Kannurs cricket legacy: O.V. Mazhar Moidu appointed as fielding coach of India A Team

The Indian team, under his guidance, will compete against Australia A during a tour spanning around 25 days

Kannur Collector abstains from official programmes, holds meeting with CM

Anticipating possible protests in connection with the death of Additional District Magistrate K. Naveen Babu

CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan visits former ADM Naveen Babus bereaved family in Pathanamthitta

Naveen Babus suspected death by suicide following allegedly disparaging public remarks against him by CPI(M) leader and former District Panchayat President, Kannur, P.P. Divya, had triggered a political storm

Congress hits out at CM Vijayan over silence on Kannur ADM's death

Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition Congress in Kerala has slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by questioning his silence on the alleged suicide of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu following corruption allegations levelled against him by CPI(M) leader P P Divya. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan both questioned why the CM was silent on the matter as he did not even convey his condolences to the bereaved family. Terming Babu as an honest and good officer, Sudhakaran alleged that the government was dragging its feet on investigating the matter. Similar allegations were made by Satheesan who claimed that Vijayan and his office were trying to save the culprits behind the alleged suicide of Babu. He also contended that the CPI(M) created a fake document to show Babu was corrupt and save Divya, the former Kannur District Panchayat President. Satheesan also sought to know why District Collector Arun K Vijayan kept silent when Divya publicly made those allegations against Babu. He alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the allegations made against the former Kannur ADM. Divya was on Thursday booked for the offence of abetment of suicide under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and by late that night the CPI(M) removed her from the post of Kannur District Panchayat President. During the day, statements of the Collector and various other officials of the collectorate were reportedly recorded by Land Revenue Joint Commissioner A Geetha, who has been tasked with looking into the circumstances that led to the death of Babu. Divya had criticised Babu for delaying the approval of a petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and said he granted approval only two days after being transferred, hinting that she knew the reasons behind this sudden approval. The death of the official came to light when his wife, a tehsildar, and their children went to Chengannur railway station on Tuesday morning to receive Babu, who was supposed to take charge as ADM Pathanamthitta, later in the day. When he was not found on the train, the family tried to reach him on his mobile phone, but it went unanswered. They subsequently contacted his colleagues in Kannur, and during their search, they found Babu hanging in his quarters.

Death of Kannur ADM: Tensions at Collectorate as Yuva Morcha, KSU activists protest seeking Collectors resignation

BJYM and KSU activists stage demonstration alleging District Collector Arun K. Vijayans involvement in the death of Naveen Babu

Kannur ADM death: Collector Arun K. Vijayan denies inviting P.P. Divya to Naveen Babus farewell event

His statement comes in response to questions from the media after P.P. Divya claimed in her bail petition that she attended the event based on the Collectors invitation