Former Naxal leader Vellathooval Stephan dies at 82

Former Naxal leader Vellathooval Stephan died on Saturday at the age of 82 due to age-related ailments, his relatives said. A native of Vellathooval in Idukki district, Stephan had been residing in Ernakulam, where he passed away. His family originally hailed from the Kottayam district before moving to Idukki. Stephan was a prominent leader of the Naxalite movement in Kerala and was named in 19 cases, including the 1968 attack on the Thalassery police station. He was arrested in 1971 and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment, during which he renounced the Naxalite movement. After his release, he worked in various parts of the state. Stephan's autobiography was widely read and appreciated by both the literary community and the general public in Kerala. His last rites will be held in Vadattupara on Sunday, relatives said.