Source:  www.assistnews.net

Date:  October 23, 2007

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

KERALA, INDIA (ANS) -- A social and prayer fellowship worker was stabbed to death on October 21 at Mupli Estate road in Thrissur District of Kerala State, India.

Shaju Kannampuzha (37) was brutally murdered in Mupli on Sunday night at about 9:30 p.m. by fake distillers of alcohol, according to Salem Voice Ministries News Service.

Vellikkulangara police arrested Rajesh of Themath at Kodunga and two others related with Shaju's death.

SVM says the victim was allegedly killed by Rajesh and his friends because he worked against drugs and alcoholism and secretly informed about fake distilling operations to the police.

"There are more people involved with Shaju's murder and they will be held soon," police told SVM News Service.

Rajesh was arrested when he came for treatment at a primary health center for the injuries which he sustained during the attack on Shaju. He had previously been jailed for an opium case and was released just three months ago. He has been involved in distilling fake liquor.

Shaju was also a bootlegger about 12 years ago, but he confessed and turned back to God and became an active worker against drugs and alcoholism as a prayer fellowship and social worker.

Paul Ciniraj, the President of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) and the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries condemned the slaying of Shaju Kannampuzha.