Missing Konni Tribal Chief found dead after NREGA case notice, say kin
A tribal chieftain who had been missing for more than a month was found dead inside a forest near Konni here on Friday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Mohandas, 70, a tribal chieftain from Kokkathode near Konni, who had been missing since June 26.
Police said his body was found hanging from a tree near a cliff deep inside the forest. The decomposed body will be shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examination, after which the remains will be handed over to his family.
Police said extensive search operations had been conducted over the past month with the assistance of members of the tribal community, who frequently enter the forest to collect forest produce. Drones were also deployed as part of the search effort.
According to Mohandas' family, he had been facing a case related to a dispute over work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The family said he had recently received a court notice in connection with the case, after which he entered the forest and went missing.
Police said a further investigation into the matter is underway.
(With inputs from PTI)
