Kerala: Ayyappa devotee found dead, BJP calls for hartal in Pathanamthitta

When Sivadas went missing, the family had registered an FIR with the police.

The BJP Friday called for a 12-hour strike in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala after an Ayyappa devotee was found dead in the forest area of Pathanamthitta. The devotee was recognised as Shivdas, 60, a resident of Mulambuzha in Pandalam. His family had filed an FIR with the police alleging that he had gone missing.

The BJP alleged that Shivadas died due to police brutality during Sabarimala protests in Nilakkal last month.

However, District police chief P T Narayanan refuted the allegation that Sivadasan went missing following the police action in Nilakkal. He also claimed that Shivadas had called home on October 19 after which he went missing. More details are awaited.