CITU worker stabbed to death in Kerala's Pathanamthitta, 3 held

NEW DELHI: A CITU-affiliated headload worker was stabbed to death in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, according to police reports on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Jithin (35) from Mampara in Perunad, was an active member of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a trade union federation aligned with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI(M). His death has drawn attention in the region, as he was known for his active involvement in local union activities.
The incident occurred around 10pm on Sunday, following a confrontation between two groups near Kochupalam in Perunad. The altercation quickly escalated, resulting in Jithin being stabbed multiple times.
After the attack, he was rushed to the Perunad government hospital, where he was given emergency treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to a private medical facility in Pathanamthitta. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted.
Three young men, Akhil, Sharan, and Aromal, have been taken into police custody in connection with the incident. They are currently under detention and are being interrogated. Authorities have indicated that further investigation is required before formal arrests can be made.
Police are also continuing their efforts to locate other individuals involved in the altercation, as they suspect more people may have been directly involved in the violence.
While some local reports have suggested the involvement of BJP and RSS workers in the incident, the police have dismissed claims of political motivations. Investigators have emphasized that the detained individuals come from different political affiliations, which suggests that the conflict was not politically motivated.
The altercation also left two other individuals injured, with one of them receiving treatment at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital.
Authorities have suggested that this incident may have stemmed from a prior altercation that took place several days earlier.
Perunad police are continuing their investigation, focusing on locating and questioning others who may have been involved, as they work to bring clarity and accountability to the case.