Kerala News Highlights: Migrant worker found dead inside well in Thiruvananthapuram

3.15 PM: Pigs culled in Alappuzha begins over African Swine Flu

Following the African Swine Flu (ASF) outbreak at Thannermukkom panchayat in Alappuzha, a total of eighteen pigs were culled on Monday. After the discovery of the highly contagious and lethal viral disease at a private farm in ward number 5 of the panchayat the other day, the District Animal Husbandry officials acted quickly.

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2.30 PM: Rahul Gandhi writes to Kerala CM demanding action in wild elephant attack in Wayanad

Senior Congressman Rahul Gandhi, a member of parliament for Wayanad, wrote Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a letter recently demanding prompt action regarding a man's death following an elephant attack in the state's Wayanad district. 

In the letter, Rahul Gandhi said, "I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you regarding the shocking demise of Ajeesh Panachiyil from Payyampally. He was fatally attacked by an elephant. Another life has been tragically lost in Wayanad due to a wildlife attack. He was not only the sole breadwinner of his family but also the primary caregiver for his bedridden mother. My heart goes out to his family, especially his ailing mother and young children."

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1.45 PM: HC gives green signal to further probe case against Veena Vijayan's Exalogic

The Kerala High Court on Monday said that it is better to investigate the 'monthly payment' case linked to Veena Vijayan, daughter of Kerala Chief Minister. The court criticized the stand of KSIDC which opposed the investigation. The court also asked KSIDC to produce a copy of the explanation sought from CMRL on the Exalogic agreement. The High Court asked the KSIDC why it was trying to block the investigation.

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1.00 PM: Migrant worker found dead inside well in Thiruvananthapuram

A migrant laborer was found dead inside a well in Pothecode, Thiruvananthapuram. Nandu Vishwas (59), a native of West Bengal, was found dead. After he went missing, a complaint was filed with the Pothencode police yesterday evening. The body was found inside the well this morning while the people were fetching water. The body was removed with the help of the fire brigade.

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12.30 PM: CPM pauses foreign university plans in Kerala

The Kerala budget plans to permit the establishment of foreign university campuses have been halted by the Communist Party of India (CPM). The party came under fire for "deviating" from its conventional policy position, which prompted the decision. After the Lok Sabha elections, the CPM's Politburo will hold additional talks on the subject. 

The introduction and establishment of private and foreign universities in Kerala was announced by the state Finance Minister K N Balagopal during the Budget presentation on March 5.

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12.00 PM: Forest department to dismiss temporary watchers as wild animal attacks continue in Kerala

The forest department has decided to dismiss the temporary watchers as the wild animal harassment continues in the state. The temporary watchers except the RRT team are proposed to be dismissed on March 31. It has been decided that temporary watchers should be appointed only after obtaining the permission of the government.

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11.00 AM: Major explosion at firecracker store in Thrippunithura leaves one dead, several injured

 In a tragic incident, a huge collection of firecrackers brought to a warehouse exploded and caught fire on Monday at 10.30 am in Thripunnithura, Ernakulam. The firecrackers brought from Palakkad for a temple festival exploded while being unloaded from the vehicle. According to reports, as many as 16 people including a woman were injured and two of them were reported to be in critical condition. The incident happened beside Puthiyakavu temple in the region.

Kerala: Major explosion at firecracker storage in Thrippunithura; one dead

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10.30 AM: After 46-year wait, Thalassery-Mahe Bypass set to open for traffic

After a long wait, Thalassery-Mahe Bypass is all set to be inaugurated. The Mahe railway flyover and toll booth work is in the final stage. After 46 years of waiting, the National Highway Bypass is becoming a reality. The new route, which will cost around Rs 1300 crore to build, is nearing completion. There is only polishing left to do. The traffic jams on the national highway in Thalassery and Mahe will lessen once the road opens. The project's last stages are moving forward quickly. This almost ensures that the bypass will be opened shortly.

Kerala: After 46-year wait, Thalassery-Mahe Bypass set to open for traffic

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9.45 AM: Kerala BJP's new headquarters set for inauguration in Thiruvananthapuram

The Kerala unit Bharatiya Janata Party's new headquarters building in Thiruvananthapuram is set for inauguration. The 'milk splitting' ceremony will be held today and an official inauguration will be held after getting the final dates from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.  The new building completed in three and a half years in Thiruvananthapuram also has accommodation facilities for the leaders and workers coming from distant places.

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9.15 AM: Wayanad Collector declares holiday for education institutions in Mananthavady regions due to presence of wild elephants

Due to the presence of wild elephants, educational institutes in various places in the Mananthavady region are closed today due to security reasons. The District Collector has declared a holiday for all the educational institutions of Tirunelli Panchayat and Kurukan Moola (Division 12), Kuruva (13), Kadamkolli (14) and Payyampally (15) divisions of Mananthavady Municipality. 

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8.34 AM:  Woman dies after neighbour set her ablaze in Idukki 

A woman died after a neighbor poured petrol on her and set her on fire in Udumbanchola. The deceased has been identified as Sheela. The accused neighbour Sasikumar poured petrol and set her ablaze on Friday (Feb 9). She died while undergoing treatment at Theni Medical College. Police concluded that personal enmity led to the incident. The accused Sasikumar is in police custody.

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8.23 AM: Forest Department to resume mission to capture wild elephant Belur Makhana today

The forest department said that the process to catch the wild cat Belur Makhna will be resumed this morning. Once the signal is received from the elephant's radio collar, the mission team will move. The tracking experts will first come down to see where the elephant is camping. Officials informed that Mannarkad and Nilambur RRTs will also be part of the mission. 

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8.19 AM: CPM anxious as two High Courts to consider Veena Vijayan's case today

There are three cases in two High Courts related to the company owned by the Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan will be considered today. CPM wants to know what the court will refer to when the cases filed against the company and the company filed against central agency interference come up for consideration. The party is holding crucial leadership meetings before the elections. Exalogic's plea against the SFIO probe is being heard by the Karnataka High Court. Shone George's petition seeking SFIO investigation into the transaction between CMRL and Exalogic and the petition filed by KSIDC seeking quashing of the investigation in the monthly payment case are coming up for consideration by the Kerala High Court. CPM's defense will look for other ways of legal battle if objections are raised against Exalogic in any way. 

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8.10 AM: Two injured in shootout at bar in Kochi

Two people were injured in a shooting at a bar in Ernakulam. The incident took place in front of Edassery Bar near Kathrikadavu on late Sunday evening. Bar employees Sujin Johnson and Akhilnath were injured. They were admitted to a private hospital in the city. Sujin had a bullet wound to the abdomen while Akhilnath received a thigh wound. Both of them are receiving treatment at Medical Trust Hospital in Ernakulam. Sujin has been admitted to the intensive care unit due to his serious condition.

Kerala: Two injured in shootout at bar in Kochi after brawl over service