Disabled farmer who put CPI leaders in dock found hanging

Kottayam: A disabled organic farmer, who made allegations against CPI leaders in a Facebook video, was found hanging in front of CPI local committee office in Thalayazham in the district on Tuesday. The body of K Chellappan (67), known as Makkan Chellappan, a native of Ullala in Vaikom, was found hanging from an iron rod in LDF election committee office in front of the CPI office. A two-page suicide note was also found.UDF and BJP workers held protests, alleging foul play. District police chief A Shahul Hameed said it was a suicide and denied any foul play. CPI leaders denied the allegations, with district executive member T N Rameshan and former MLA C K Asha stating that Chellappan's claims in the video were baseless and there was foul play behind the incident. They suggested political motives behind the suicide. They said the video was prepared as a weapon against CPI, intending to sabotage the chances of LDF and CPI candidates. They called for a comprehensive police investigation. Chellappan, an agricultural entrepreneur, ran Gurukripa High-Tech Horticultural Nursery in Idayazham. Last Saturday, Chellappan posted a video on Facebook, accusing local CPI leaders of not allowing him to live and destroying his crops. He criticised local CPI leaders T N Rameshan and J P Shaji, saying their goal was only commissions. Chellappan said if anything happened to him before elections, the CPI leaders in Vaikom would be fully responsible.The body was first discovered by a newspaper distributor around 6am. Chellappan's walker was found nearby. LDF workers were present at the election office until midnight on Monday. Following the discovery, BJP workers and others gathered at the site, claiming foul play and demanding that the body be moved only in the presence of the RDO. The body was eventually taken for an inquest in Vaikom tahsildar's presence around 11am. BJP workers also laid siege to Thalayazham krishi bhavan.UDF & LDF workers gathered in front of the CPI office. LDF workers were provoked as UDF workers shouted slogans in front of the CPI office. This led to a confrontation and police intervened to resolve it. Police teams from Vaikom, Thalayolaparambu and Kallara stations arrived at the scene to control the situation.Chellappan had suffered partial paralysis after an accident on his farm nine years ago. He is survived by his wife Anandavalli and children Deepu and Jyothirmayi. After the postmortem, the body was taken home for final rites in the evening.