Activist T N Joy's last rites performed

THRISSUR: The mortal remains of the political and social activist T N Joy (70), who passed away in a private hospital in Kodungallur on Tuesday, were consigned to flames at the compound of his brother's house at Kodungallur on Wednesday evening amid protests from a section his associates.

The police had to use mild force when some of his friends tried to object when the body of Joy was taken back home from Kodungallur police maidan, where people paid homage to the departed activist.

Joy had embraced Islam couple of years ago and had reportedly written a letter to the officials of the Kodungallur Cheraman Masjid requesting them that his body be buried on the masjid premises.

However, the family members insisted that the last rites of Joy must be performed at their home compound. The masjid committee president P A Mohamed Sayed said the masjid committee would not make any claim on the body but would be ready to perform the last rites if Joy's friends and family members desire so.

Some of Joy's friends on the other side suggest that the body should be buried at the compounds of palliative care centre set up by the departed activist.

They had tried to block the ambulance when the body was being taken to his brother's house.

After the intervention of the Kodungallur MLA V R Sunilkumar and municipal chairperson K R Jaithran, the body was handed to the relatives.

Joy who was one of the founders of CPI(ML) movement in Kerala was arrested and tortured during the Emergency.