21-07-2025
Search on for missing toddler after mother jumps into river in Kannur
The search continues for a three-year-old boy who went missing after his mother reportedly jumped into the Chemballikundu river with him tied to her chest. Fire and Rescue personnel, along with a specialised scuba diving team, resumed operations early Monday morning (July 21) to trace the child.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on Sunday (July 20), when M.V. Reema, 32, reportedly jumped into the river from a bridge with her son, Krishiv Raj, tied to her chest. Her body was recovered by search teams near the Chemballikundu railway bridge around 8.30 a.m. on Sunday.
An inquest was conducted by the Pazhayangadi police at the Kannur Government Medical College, Pariyaram. Following the postmortem examination, Reema's body was shifted to the mortuary of a private hospital in Payyannur.
According to police, Reema had left home on a scooter with her child following a domestic dispute with her husband.
Family members allege that Reema took the extreme step due to prolonged domestic abuse. Her father, Mohanan, claimed she had been under severe mental stress as her husband, Kamalraj—a native of Irinav—had been demanding custody of the child. He also accused Kamalraj and his mother of repeated harassment and mental torture.
The family stated that tensions escalated after Kamalraj, who had been working abroad, recently returned home.
The police said Reema had previously lodged a complaint against her husband at the Kannapuram police station. A suicide note recovered from her phone reportedly held her husband and mother-in-law responsible for her death.
'Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State's health helpline 104, Sneha's suicide prevention helpline of Maithri - 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre - 0495-2760000 and Direction Interventions System for Health Awareness (DISH)- 1056.'
