Kerala native N. Ramachandran, 65, was one of the 26 people killed in Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir. The incident happened in front of his daughter Arathi, who had recently come home from abroad where she works. Ramachandran, a long-time expatriate himself, had returned to Kerala from Qatar last year to enjoy his life after retirement.
It was on April 21, Ramachandran, his wife Sheela, daughter Arathi, and Arathi’s two children travelled from Kochi to Kashmir. Ramachandran and Sheela also have a son, who is currently based in Hyderabad.
C.G. Rajagopal (Muthu), a BJP leader from Ernakulam, told THE WEEK that Ramachandran and his family had been closely associated with the BJP. "He contested the Edappally district council elections back in 1995," he said. "Ramachandran was a man of firm political convictions, and several of his family members have ties with the Sangh. What has happened to his family — and to our country — is a tragedy beyond imagination."
Ramachandran’s body will be brought to Kochi this evening, airlifted from Srinagar via New Delhi. The Air India flight is expected to reach Kochi by 7.30pm.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences and expressed deep sorrow over Ramachandran’s death. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) assured that the victim’s family will be brought home safely and that all necessary arrangements will be made under government supervision.
Notably, Kerala MLAs M. Mukesh, K.P.A. Majeed, T. Siddique, and K. Ansalan were in Srinagar when the attack occurred. The MLAs went to Srinagar as part of a legislative committee meeting.
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Three Kerala High Court judges — Justices Anil K. Narendran, P.G. Ajithkumar, and Girish — were also in Jammu and Kashmir on a trip. The CMO confirmed that both the MLAs and the judges are safe.
Chief Minister Vijayan has directed NORKA Roots to provide all necessary support to Keralites currently in Jammu and Kashmir for tourism. A NORKA help desk has also been set up to assist those stranded in Kashmir or those seeking information about their loved ones.
According to NORKA Roots CEO Ajith Kolassery, 262 registrations came to NORKA Roots. “According to our estimates, 258 from Kerala are currently stranded in Kashmir,” he said. “28 groups have registered with us. The group size varies from 2 to 20. One group consisting of four members returned to Kerala. We are yet to establish contact with a group of 52 members.”
Among those killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack was also an Indian Navy officer, Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, 26, a native of Haryana who was posted in Kochi.