Kerala Government assures protection and compensation to family of Chhattisgarh man lynched in Walayar

Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Monday assured that the state government would provide all possible protection and support to the family of Ram Narayan Bhaiyar, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh who was beaten to death in Palakkad district on Wednesday on suspicion of theft.

The government has agreed to provide compensation of not less than ₹10 lakh to the family. The decision was taken during discussions held with the family by Revenue Minister K. Rajan and the Thrissur district administration.

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The body of Ram Narayan will be sent to his native place in Chhattisgarh, with all expenses borne by the state government. Minister Rajan informed that District Collector Arjun Pandian has been assigned to oversee the process.

The family members will also be flown back along with the body. He further clarified that charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would be invoked against the accused.

The family of Ram Narayan has demanded that the case be registered under the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act and include sections related to mob lynching. They have also sought compensation of ₹25 lakh.

On Sunday, the family stated that they would not take possession of the body until their demands were met, adding that they would remain in Kerala until then.

The brutal incident, which shocked the state, occurred on Wednesday evening at Walayar in Palakkad. Ram Narayan was detained and beaten by a mob on allegations of theft. He collapsed, vomited blood, and later died.

Walayar police have taken 15 people into custody—natives of Mathalikadu and Attappallam—and have formally arrested five of them: Anu, Prasad, Murali, Ananthan, and Vibin, all residents of Attappallam. Police said that although the victim appeared intoxicated, there was no evidence that he had stolen anything.

As outrage spread across the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the incident as “deeply disturbing,” stating that such acts tarnish the image of a progressive society like Kerala and are completely unacceptable. He assured Ram Narayan’s family of strict action against those responsible.

State Local Body Minister M. B. Rajesh claimed that racial slurs were used against the victim and alleged that the attackers were RSS workers. CPM state secretary MV Govindan also alleged that RSS–BJP workers were behind the crime.

Rajesh further said that the attackers had branded Ram Narayan as a Bangladeshi. Speaking to reporters in Palakkad, he alleged that those who brutally assaulted and killed him were RSS workers.

BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan strongly rejected the allegations leveled against the BJP and RSS. “Why should politics be mixed with such crimes? When a heinous crime like mob lynching occurs, shouldn’t it be treated purely as an anti-social act?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Palakkad Superintendent of Police Ajit Kumar said the case had been registered under sections related to murder, and that additional charges would be added after a detailed investigation. He added that provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would be invoked once the caste certificate of the deceased was verified.