Christian prayer warrior, estate owner and cash crop entrepreneur killed in Kerala
by Michael Ireland
August 22, 2007
KERALA, INDIA (ANS) -- A Christian estate owner was killed at Thathengalam, near Mannarghat in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India, on 17 August. According to Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service, John Mathew, 47, who was also known as Monachan of Pothukal Njettikkulam in Nilambur of Malappuram district, was killed in his farm house at Thathengalam on Thursday night.
His dead body was found at 7.30 on Friday morning on the floor inside the farm house. Both of his hands and legs were tied up. Mathew was staying alone at the house.
SVM News says it seems that whoever killed Mathew destroyed the door and entered into the house. Some kind of white powder was scattered on the verandah and around the house.
John Mathew has 12 acres of land in Thathengalam. He also has another 14 acres of land at the neighboring village called Anamooli. He was involved with cultivating rubber, pepper, coconut and other cash crops.
Deputy Superintendent of Police C.K. Ramachandran, Circle Inspector Suresh Babu, Sub Inspector Hussain, Addl. Sub Inspector Unnikrishnan are investigating the case, SVM News reported.
"From the first investigation we conclude the intention of murder was not robbery, because nothing found missing from the house. We can say nothing more until after the postmortem report," C.K. Ramachandran, Deputy Superintendent of Police told Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.
Mathew leaves behind Joyamma, his widow and his children Shiju, Shinu and Preethi. They are living in Nilambur in Malappuram district. Shiju studies for mechanical engineering, Shinu for bio-medicine and Preeti is in IVth standard.
It was Mathew's practice to stay with the family once a week only. The rest of his time was spent at his estate looking after the cultivation of the cash crops.
"Monachan was with us on last Saturday and Sunday," his wife Joyamma told SVM News. "He was an active prayer warrior in the church and prayer group," she continued.
Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) condemned the slaying of John Mathew. He asked the government to find out the murderers were and to arrest them immediately. "There must be some strong hands behind this Christian persecution," Ciniraj said.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
