CPI Idukki district assistant secretary P. Palanivel passes away

P. Palanivel, 73, assistant secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) Idukki district committee, died here on Tuesday.

He has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam.

Mr. Palanivel started his political career as a tea plantation worker and served as Devikulam block panchayat president, Idukki district panchayat president, CPI State council member and Devikulam Estate Workers Union secretary.

Mr. Palanivel was a popular face in the trade union sector in Munnar and had led many plantation-related protests for workers’ welfare in the district.

Funeral on Friday

He is survived by his wife, Japakani, and children Balu, P. Jayalakshmi, and Vinosha. The funeral will be held at the Nallathanni cremation centre, near Munnar, at 2 p.m. on on Friday.

CPI State secretary Binoy Vishwam expressed condolences.

CPI Idukki district secretary K. Salim Kumar said that the party postponed the meetings in connection with its district conference on Thursday and Friday as a mark of respect to Mr. Palanivel.