The body of Ramnarayan Bhayar, the 31-year-old migrant labourer, who was allegedly beaten to death at Attappallam, was flown to his native state of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The arrangements were made at government expense under the coordination of the Thrissur district administration.

His family members had reached Kerala to receive the body, following which it was transported from Kochi in an IndiGo flight at 11.55 am. An ambulance has also been arranged for the onward journey from Raipur to the village. Bhayar's family members also travelled in the same flight.

A group of local residents assaulted Bhayar under the pretext of questioning him after he was suspected of theft. The incident occurred around 6 pm on December 17. Although he was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time, no stolen items were found in his possession. After the assault, he collapsed to the ground, bleeding from the mouth.

He was taken to the Palakkad District Hospital with multiple injuries but died while undergoing treatment. The autopsy report said he had sustained over 80 injuries across his body, and the cause of death was internal bleeding resulting from head injuries.

The District Crime Branch has taken over the investigation, and a Special Investigation Team comprising the Crime Branch and officials of Walayar Police has been constituted. The SIT on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the murder, apart from the five already arrested by the Walayar Police, and has identified eight more persons allegedly involved in the incident who are currently absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.