At a temple celebration in Kozhikode, Kerala, a CPM politician was assaulted with an axe and later died

In Kerala’s Kozhikode district, a local Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader was killed on Thursday night at a temple festival.

The victim, PV Satyanathan, was present at a planned musical performance at Koyilandi’s Cheriyapuram temple. He suffered cuts to his neck and back after being unexpectedly assaulted with an axe. After being taken to a hospital, he passed away.

The murderers have not yet been apprehended after they left the scene. According to police, they believe Satyanathan’s assault was motivated by personal animosity.

The secretary of the CPI(M) Koyilandi central local committee was PV Satyanathan.

The CPI(M) has announced that Koyilandi would see a bandh on Friday in response to the event.