Village observes hartal to mourn girl's murder

Kozhikode, Jun 24 (UNI) Shops and business establishments in Maniyur panchayat in this district of Kerala remained closed following a hartal called to mourn the murder of a nine-year-old girl, today.

The hartal was called by all the parties to mourn the death of Shahana, a Class IV student of the M L P School at Cherandathur yesterday.

The body of Shahana, who went out from the school during recess alongwith her friends, was found in a sack inside a shed on the terrace of a house near the school.

The murder had sparked violent protests in the village and surrounding areas last evening as the police allegedly provided protection to the house owner, who was detained for his alleged involvement in the murder.

Meanwhile, police said the house owner V Mayinkutty (45) had confessed to committing the crime after raping her.

Police said details of the crime could be ascertained only after getting the forensic and post-mortem report.

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