Ziro: A somber air hangs over Ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh as the mysterious deaths of three individuals from Kerala, discovered on Tuesday, have sparked suspicions of black magic or occult practices.
Authorities from both local and Kerala police forces have launched a thorough investigation, focusing on potential connections between the deceased and any suspicious activities or persons in Ziro, Kottayam, and Thiruvananthapuram, the hometowns of the deceased.
The deceased individuals have been identified as Arya B Nair (29) from Thiruvananthapuram, and a couple, Devi B (39) and Naveen Thomas (39), from Kottayam. The couple were ayurveda doctors.
Lower Subansiri’s superintendent of police, Keni Bagra, who addressed the media on Tuesday stated that the trio had checked into Hotel Blue Pine on March 28 and had been sharing a room since then.
“The hotel staff last saw them until March 31, and their absence was noted on April 2. Upon entering their room, Nair was found dead on the bed with her wrist cut, while Devi was found on the floor with cut marks on her neck and wrist. Thomas was discovered in the bathroom with a cut mark on his wrist,” the SP said.
Bagra noted, “There was minimum struggle,” indicating the deaths might have been planned.
“A suicide note was found in the room, signed by all three, stating, “We are very happy. We know where we are going.” The note also included a phone number, which belonged to Devi’s father. Upon informing him, he identified the deceased and mentioned their involvement in occult practices,” the SP said.
Bagra, however, clarified that the black magic angle is yet to be confirmed, pending the forensic team’s examination and the awaited autopsy report.
“The police are in contact with the families of the deceased in Kerala to gather more information about their backgrounds and potential motives for foul play. The bodies will be handed over to the families after completing all necessary procedures,” he said, while adding that it also needs to be investigated why the three chose Ziro for the deaths.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, noted cultural activist Soorya Krishnamoorthy, said that Devi’s father Balan Madhavan, a travel photographer, told him that the deceased had “fallen prey to black magic”.
“I have spoken to Balan Madhavan, who told me that they (the deceased) have fallen victim to black magic… It is a tragedy that even well-educated persons have fallen prey to black magic,” Krishnamoorthy was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Meanwhile, the Mathrubhumi.com, a local media outlet of Kerala while quoting one Monichan Kizhakkedam, the president of Meenadom panchayat in Kottayam, reported that the trio had made these wounds as part of ‘Punarjani’ so that they could get another life.
According to Naveen’s neighbour, Iype, as he told Mathrubhumi.com, Naveen and his wife Devi were members of an organisation named ‘Punarjani’, which deals with some sort of black magic as it worships dark forces like satan.
“We strongly believe that this organisation had influenced the mindset of the couple,” Iype said.
The Kerala police on Tuesday announced that they would be sending a team to Arunachal to investigate further.
Thiruvananthapuram City police Commissioner C Nagaraju remarked that there appears to be abnormal behavior, but conclusive evidence will only be determined after examining their mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Also read: 3 from Kerela found dead in Ziro hotel
