The relatives of Ramanarayan Bhaghel, a Chhattisgarh native who was killed in a mob lynching incident at Walayar, have received his body. The remains will be transported by air to Raipur on Tuesday.

The family agreed to accept the body after Labour Minister K Rajan assured them that the case would proceed under provisions including mob lynching and offences under laws relating to atrocities against Scheduled Castes, and that compensation of at least ₹10 lakh would be granted.

Earlier, Ramanarayan’s wife Lalita, along with their two children, had staged a protest outside the medical college mortuary, refusing to receive the body. Negotiations led by officials such as the RDO and the assistant collector failed to yield a breakthrough, prompting fresh talks at the collectorate attended by Minister K Rajan and District Collector Arjun Pandian.

Calling the incident a blot on Kerala, the minister said the state would provide full support and protection to the bereaved family. He said the proposal to grant compensation of not less than ₹10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund would be placed before the Cabinet.

He further stated that all those responsible for the mob killing would face strict action and that provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would be applied at the family’s request. The minister also assured that steps would be taken to strengthen the safety of migrant workers.

Arjun Pandian said the government would meet the entire cost of airlifting the body to Raipur along with seven family members. Authorities have also arranged an ambulance to transport the body from Raipur to Ramanarayan’s native village.