MALAPPURAM: Four inmates of an old age home in Thavanur, which functions under the social justice department (SJD), mysteriously died within a span of 20 hours. One person was found dead on Sunday morning and others died on Monday morning.The deceased were identified as Kali Amma (74) from Chalissery, Sreedevi Amma(84) from Kadanchery, Velayudhan (102) from Manoor and Kirishna Bos (74) native of Tenhipalam.Though old-age home authorities have said that the inmates died due to age-related illness, residents and several organizations have alleged that there is some mystery behind their deaths.Following strong public demand, health minister KK Shailaja asked the SJD secretary to conduct a detailed probe. She directed the secretary to submit a detailed report on the incident at the earliest. State human rights commission (SHRC) also registered a suo motu case.SHRC member K Mohan Kumar has asked district collector Amit Meena, district police chief Pratheesh Kumar and district social justice officer to submit a report after conducting a detailed inquiry.Authorities at the old age home said Sreedevi died around 6pm on Sunday while others died between 3am and 6am on Monday. Sreedevi’s body was cremated on the same day and people started a protest when authorities began preparations to cremate others on Monday morning.Protesters under various local organizations staged a blockade in front of the facility demanding autopsy. Following this, Kuttippuram police and Thavanur grama panchayat authorities conducted inspection at the old age home. Autopsy was done on the three persons who died on Monday at Kozhikode medical college. The bodies were cremated later in the evening.Minister KT Jaleel, who is also the local MLA, ruled out foul play. “Their deaths were natural as they were suffering from various age-related ailments. I don’t think that laxity on part of the old age home authorities was the reason for their deaths. I had visited the old age home four days ago. Authorities are providing better healthcare and other facilities to inmates,” he said.Earlier, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala asked minister Shailaja to conduct a detailed probe. In a letter submitted to the minister, Chennithala alleged that laxity on the part of old age home authorities led to the death of inmates.

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