Aryanad grama panchayat member found dead; suicide suspected

A 48-year-old panchayat member was found dead on Tuesday in a shed near her residence in Aryanad.

The deceased, Sreeja S., a Congress worker and elected member from Kottakkakam ward in Aryanad grama panchayat, was reportedly discovered unconscious and later declared dead at a nearby hospital.

According to the police, preliminary probe suggests that she consumed an acidic substance, paving way to suspicion of suicide.

Her family, who claimed that she was facing financial issues, alleged that a Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led campaign targeting Ms. Sreeja over such matters pushed her to take the extreme step.

Protest held

Congress workers organised a protest outside the panchayat office.

Ms. Sreeja’s husband Jayakumar accused the CPI(M)-led panchayat leadership of publicly humiliating her, particularly during a recent public meeting where allegations were levelled against her.

President denies charge

However, panchayat president Vijumohan V. denied any campaign against Ms. Sreeja. He claimed that some people who had lent money to her had approached the local body, following which attempts were made to resolve the issue amicably.

He added that Ms. Sreeja had assured the panchayat that she would settle her financial obligations by July, but failed to do so. Nonetheless, he conceded that there was a protest recently, but it was not aggressive or widely attended. The demand was that her political party take responsibility for her repayments, Mr. Vijumohan said.

Satheesan flays incident

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan strongly condemned the incident. He alleged that Ms. Sreeja was subjected to public humiliation by CPI(M) leaders who criticised her over her debt. “She was deeply distressed by the public shaming. The CPI(M) has stooped to organising public meetings to humiliate those in debt,” he told media persons in Kozhikode.

He claimed that the police had not taken statements from Ms. Sreeja’s husband and daughter. He also demanded that a case of abetment to suicide be registered and video records of the public meetings examined as part of the probe.

(hose in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056, State’s health helpline 104, Maithri – 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre – 0495-2760000.)