Kannur (Kerala): The body of a  Dalit Christian woman was found in a thicket of shrubs at Pazhayangadi in Kannur district of Kerala on 19 October 2007. Upon verification, the police admitted that it was a case of murder.

Chellarian Rita (36), the wife of Jose Madakkudiyan of Ezhomkavumchal, was the Dalit Christian woman. She was brutally murdered while being raped. "She died due to serious wounds on her head," the police said. A deep injury was found on her forehead. Her clothes were torn, indicating she had to struggle with the rapists.

Rita was the daughter of Chellarian Charlie and Thekkan Mariam of Pilathara. She married about 14 years ago without having any child. She had gone to buy ration at Kannoth on 18 October 2007 morning. When she failed to come back, her relatives and local people searched for her till night. Finally her husband Jose filed a complaint with the Pazhayangadi police station around 10 pm.

In the following morning, the local people found scattered rice by the roadside near Kavumchal public graveyard. When they searched further, they came upon her body in a thicket of shrubs nearby.

The police found a liquor bottle along with scattered rice and footwear from the spot. District Superintendent of Police Mathew Policarp was investigating the case. Forensic chief Dr S Gopala Pillai visited the place to examine the incident.

The Christian Ministers of the Churches of India, condemned the murder of Rita. He urged the government to find out the murderers and arrest them immediately. "Rita was brutally raped and killed. She is a victim of Dalit Christian persecution. The murderers must not get any sympathy from the police, the court, and the government," he said.

(Source: Salem Voice,  21 October 2007)