Kerala

Kottayam (Ker), Jun 22 (PTI) A 51-year old Catholic priest was found dead in a well in the premises of his church in Kottayam district on Monday, police said here.

Fr George Ettuparayil, serving as vicar of St Thomas Church, Punnathura near here, was found dead in the well during an investigation launched by the police on the basis of a missing complaint on Sunday night.

Police sought the assistance of the Fire department to fish out the body from the well.

Kochi, June 19 (PTI): A court here on Friday awarded 20 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to four men for raping a girl near here nearly two years ago.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge P J Vincent sentenced them to 20 years each and also pay a fine of Rs 25,000.

The 16-year-old victim had committed suicide in September 2019 during the trial.

She had given a statement in the court in May that year.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 9 (PTI) Malls, restaurants and places of worship opened in Kerala on Tuesday morning after over two-and half months of Coronavirus induced lockdown.

There were very few visitors in the malls and restaurants in the early hours and people preferred takeaways in eateries.

Various temples, including the famous Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayoor, a few churches and mosques opened in the state for the devotees.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 7 (PTI) As places of worship across Kerala are all set to reopen on Tuesday following easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by the government, a few churches, temples and mosques in the southern state have decided not to open its doors to devotees till the month end.

The Angamally-Ernakulam diocese, which decided to remain shut due to the COVID-19 situation, was followed by a few other denominations including Niranam archdioceseof Jacobite faction, and informed that they will be closed till June 30.

Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, May 25 (PTI): Members of a right wing group allegedly vandalised the film set of a Malayalam movie near here on Sunday, prompting a sharp reaction from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who warned the culprits of strong action.

Expressing anguish over the attack, actor Tovino Thomas, who is starring in the film, said the "contractual set" of film "Minnal Murali" was destroyed by a group of "racialists".

Kochi, May 22 (PTI) INS Sunayna, an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, successfully completed her anti- piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden and arrived here early Friday morning, a Defence spokesman said.

The ship, based under the Southern Naval Command here, had to sustain herself without entering any port for 80 days due to COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

She was fuelled and resupplied by tankers of the Indian Navy and US Navy, the spokesman said.

Malappuram(Ker), May 19 (PTI) In the first case of relapse of Covid-19 infection in Kerala, a nine-month pregnant nurse, who returned from Kuwait recently after recovering from the disease, has tested positive once again here.

The 34-year-old Alappuzha native had returned to India on May 13 after she managed to get a ticket on board one of the special flights arranged by the central government under the 'Vande Bharat mission " to bring back stranded Indians from the gulf and other countries.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (PTI) The Kerala Government on Monday decided to allow public transport in a restricted manner with an increased travel fare to compensate the shortage of passengers due to implementation of social distancing norms in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transport Minister A K Saseendran said initially public transport will be allowed only for intra-district services but hot spots will be avoided.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 (PTI): Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday suggested to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that states should have the "flexiblity" in changing lockdown guidelines and allowing public and Metro rail services by following social distancing norms, except in red zones.

Vijayan, who spoke during the video conference held by Modi with state Chief Ministers, also suggested that anti body test be conducted on expatriates before they arrive here from various countries.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 9 (PTI) Kerala on Saturday continued to maintain that it flattened the coronavirus curve, with just two fresh cases of expatriates being reported and 16 active cases remaining in hospitals.

"On the 100th day of confirmation of the first case of COVID, Kerala flattened the curve.

Only 16 active cases remain in hospitals.

We are bracing ourselves for the 3rd wave," state Finance Minister Isaac had tweeted earlier in the day.