Kerala News Highlights: Congress leader C Raghunath who quit party to join BJP today

4.30 PM: Opposition leader V D Satheesan calls CM 'arrogant'

The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came under fire on Sunday from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly V D Satheesan, who called him a "coward" and "arrogant" for allegedly using water cannons and tear gas on Congress leaders the day before and filing a case against them for damaging public property. With the violence in Thiruvananthapuram that occurred during the state Congress chief K Sudhakaran's march to the DGP office, Kerala Police on Saturday filed a case against Satheesan, the senior leaders, and MP Shashi Tharoor. Satheesan claimed that the case was unsuccessfully filed to intimidate Congress leaders.

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3.45 PM: CITU bans woman auto driver for not participating in Nava Kerala Sadas in Thiruvananthapuram

CITU union banned a woman auto driver for not attending the Nava Kerala Sadas. Rajini was driving an auto at Kattayikonam Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. Rajini has been driving an auto for 8 years. She said that she did not attend the Nava Kerala Sadas due to health problems.

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3.15 PM: Congress leader C Raghunath to join BJP today

C Raghunath, who was the general secretary of the DCC in Kannur and quit the Congress, will join the BJP today. BJP President JP Nadda will hand over the membership in Delhi this evening. C Raghunath was the Congress candidate against Pinarayi Vijayan at Dharmadom. He left the Congress last day due to differences of opinion with the leadership.

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2.30 PM: Supplyco fills up stores ahead of festive season

Kerala's market is booming during the holidays, but Supplyco stores throughout the state are having trouble since basic supplies are not available. Only chickpeas and coriander powder, two of the thirteen items offered at discounted prices at the Kasaragod stores, are now in stock. Since Supplyco stores offer products at prices lower than the market, customers rely on them. Chickpeas, for instance, cost Rs 90 per kilo in the ordinary market, but only Rs 45 at Supplyco outlets. Coriander powder, on the other hand, costs Rs 110 outside of Supplyco but only Rs 79/kg there.

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1.15 PM: SI suspended over alleged links with gold smugglers

Malappuram Perumbadappu SI N Sreejith has been suspended by Thrissur Range DIG. The suspension was based on the Malappuram SP's report that he was linked to a gold smuggling racket. There was evidence of financial dealings with gold smuggling gangs. The police conducted an internal investigation based on the information that SI N Sreejith was constantly in touch with the gold smuggling gang. The same allegation was raised in the stations where he worked earlier. The internal investigation found that the information about the vehicle inspection route of the police was handed over to the gold smuggling group.

Officials have also found evidence of SI's financial dealings with gold smuggling gangs. Malappuram SP S Sasidharan inquired about SI's dealings and handed over the report to Thrissur Range DIG. He was subsequently suspended by the DIG under investigation. Customs has also started a preliminary investigation into SI's links with the gold smuggling racket.

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12.30 PM:  Three injured after explosion during scrap segregation in Kannur 

An explosion that happened during segregation activities at a scrapyard near Pattayakkunnu in Kathirur injured three people on Sunday. An Assamese native and his two kids suffered injuries in the explosion. The incident reportedly took place at 9 am. When a container that resembled a plastic can was opened, an explosion happened. The father was hurt in the abdomen and on his hand. The two children were admitted to the Taluk Hospital in Koothuparamba, while he was admitted to the Pariyaram Medical College Hospital.

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12.00 PM: Two labourers trapped in mudslide at Thiruvananthapuram

Two labourers were trapped in a mudslide at Sreekaryam Maduthunada in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The accident took place while digging a drainage ditch. One of them identified as Deepak has been rescued by the fire-fighting team. The operation to rescue the other one is in progress.

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11.30 AM: Student from Kerala dies of fever in Delhi

A Malayali student died of fever in Delhi. Asharuddin P (24), a native of Palakkad's Mannarkkad died. He was suffering from fever and was being treated in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Delhi. He was the Secretary of Delhi KMCC and a student of Jamia Millia University.

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11.00 am: Man-eating tiger in Wayanad named Rudran

The man-eating tiger in Wayanad was named 'Rudran'. The tiger is currently undergoing treatment at the Puthur Zoological Park in Thrissur. The wound on the tiger's face was stitched the previous day. The doctors informed that it would take three weeks for the wound to heal completely. The 13-year-old tiger weighs 200 kgs.

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10.30 AM: Grade SI found hanging in Ernakulam

A grade S.I. was found hanging in Ernakulam. SI Shibu of Njarakkal station allegedly hanged himself. He was being treated for liver disease. Police say that he was consuming excessive alcohol the other day. He was found dead in his house in Thathapilli, Varappuzha.

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10.10 AM: Ministers Antony Raju, Ahmed Devarkovil resign as part of cabinet reshuffle

Transport Minister Antony Raju and Ports Minister Ahmed Devarkovil resigned on Sunday (Dec 24) after meeting the Chief Minister at Cliff House in Thiruvananthapuram. They resigned from the post as part of the cabinet reshuffle. 

Read More: Kerala: Ministers Antony Raju, Ahmed Devarkovil resign for cabinet reshuffle

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9.20 AM: Traffic jam witnessed at Thamarassery Churam

 Around 6.30 am, a tourist bus broke down and caused a traffic jam at Thamarassery Churam (pass). Traffic was disrupted for half an hour. Meanwhile, a lorry came in the wrong direction and aggravated the traffic jam.

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9.00 AM: Calf killed in suspected tiger attack in Wayanad

It is suspected that a tiger bit a calf in Wayanad Batheri's CeeCee. An eight-month-old calf was killed and eaten reportedly. The forest department is inspecting the footprints of the tiger.

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8.30 AM: Sabarimala witnesses huge footfall of devotees; Over 97,000 pilgrims reached shrine yesterday

A huge rush of devotees continues at Sabarimala temple. The official estimate is that around 97,000 Ayyappa devotees visited the shrine yesterday alone. The flow of devotees is also continuing through Pullumedu-Kananapatha. Due to the rush of devotees, strict restrictions have been imposed at the Pampa. Meanwhile, if there is an increase in traffic in the coming hours, there is a possibility of vehicle restrictions in many parts of the district. The official estimate is that 21000 devotees have climbed the pathinettampadi till 6 am today.

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8.06 AM: Man dies in accident in Palakkad

A man who was travelling on a two-wheeler was hit by a speeding car in Chittur, Palakkad. In the impact, his body was severed and he died on the spot and his bike was completely gutted. The deceased has been identified as Manikandan (43) of Nalleppilly. The accident happened around 3.45 am. The preliminary conclusion is that the excessive speed of the car caused the accident.

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8.00 AM: CM's gunman among 5 named as accused for beating protestors in Alappuzha

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's gunman Anil and security officer Sandeep have been named as accused among five others in the case of beating Youth Congress protestors for waving black flags in Alappuzha.

Read More: Kerala CM's gunman, security officer among five named as accused for lathi-charging Youth Congress workers