Report shocks village of kidnapped worker

The sleepy Chingoly village in Kerala's Alappuzha district was shocked as unconfirmed reports poured in tonight that M R Kutty, who hails from the hamlet, was killed by Taliban after being taken hostage in Afghanistan.

The family members of Kutty alias Maniappan, however, heaved a sigh of relief when Chief Minister Oommen Chandy called over telephone and informed them that the news was not correct, a relative of Kutty told PTI.

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"The Chief Minister told us that it was not correct. He said he has also asked the authoritities in Delhi to issue a clarification," a relative of Kutty said.

Kutty's wife, two children and aged parents have been in prayers since they come to know two days back about the kidnapping of Kutty, who was working with the Border Roads Organization.