A village has come together to help a family torn apart by a horrific act of crime which claimed three lives in the Chendamangalam panchayat in Kerala’s Ernakulam district.

It was on January 16 that three members of the house at Kizhakkumpuram —Venu, a daily wage worker; his wife, Usha; and their daughter, Vineesha—were murdered by their neighbour, Rithu Jayan (28), a habitual offender. The assailant stormed into their home armed with an iron rod, attacked the family, and left Jithin KM, Vineesha's husband, critically injured. The gory act unfolded in front of Jithin’s two young daughters, aged five (class 1) and eleven (class 6), leaving them traumatised.

With Jithin’s medical expenses mounting and the future of two children clouded in uncertainty, the community has launched a fundraising campaign. “Jithin’s hospital expenses itself have reached almost Rs 9 lakhs. We haven’t paid it yet,” said Chendamangalam panchayat vice president VU Sreejith. “Paravur MLA and Opposition leader VD Satheesan has promised to help cover the hospital bill from his MLA fund,” Sreejith added.

The fund is collected through a joint account under the name of Usha’s nephew, Vinesh MK, and the representatives from the panchayat.

Meanwhile, the panchayat is also mobilising the community with a human chain event on January 31. Stretching 7 km from Chendamangalam Bridge to Gothuruth, the event aims to raise awareness about narcotics abuse and rising criminal activities. Representatives from schools (both teachers and students), Kudumbashree units, residence associations, trade organisations, health department and MGNREGA workers will join hands in solidarity.

Jithin was the sole bread-winner of the family. He was on leave from his job in the UAE and was preparing to return in mid-February. He remains in critical condition at Aster Medicity, Kochi and doctors have communicated that he would require prolonged hospital stay. “He has been shifted to a room and has started responding. He even recognised some friends who visited him. But we don’t know how long it will take for him to recover completely or how much more it will cost,” said Vinesh, who has taken in Jithin’s daughters.

The girls, who are slowly recovering from the trauma, have not yet returned to school. “Their belongings, including school supplies, are still inside their house, which the police have sealed for investigation. We hope to retrieve them soon as the evidence collection seems completed,” Vinesh added.