Kerala shocker: Tribal man ‘tortured and starved’ for six days inside resort

Palakkad (Kerala): A 54-year-old tribal man was allegedly held captive and assaulted for six days by a resort owner and his staff at Muthalmada in Kerala’s Palakkad district, police said on Friday.

The victim, identified as Vellayan from Moochakundu, Chambakuzhi, was rescued late Thursday night after police received information from local activists. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Palakkad District Hospital.

According to Kalpana Devi, councillor of Muthalmada panchayat, Vellayan had gone to the resort on August 17 for labour work. “He consumed liquor from a bottle kept at the resort. Agitated over it, resort owner Prabhu detained Vellayan in a room at the resort. He was given food only once a day and was beaten frequently,” Kalpana alleged.

She added that another member of the tribal community, who visited the resort for work on Thursday, discovered that Vellayan had been locked inside. “We went to the resort as a group on Thursday night. The resort’s employees did not allow us in, but we forced our way into the compound and searched the premises, finding Vellayan locked inside a room. We then informed the police, who arrived and rescued him,” she said.

Police confirmed that a case has been registered and Vellayan’s statement will be recorded soon. The resort owner and employees are currently absconding. “The District Police Chief spoke to us and assured us that a case will be registered against those responsible. We have also informed the District Collector about the incident,” Kalpana added.