Funeral of Jismol, 2 kids held at Mutholy amidst tense moments

Kottayam: The funeral of Advocate Jismol and her two minor daughters was held amidst tense and emotional moments at Mutholy near Pala on Saturday. Jismol and her daughters had died by suicide on April 15.

Hundreds of people gathered to witness the final journey of the children and Jismol, daughter of Mutholy-native PK Thomas. Jismol's husband Jimmy, a Neerikkad native, and his family didn't attend the funeral.

The mortal remains, which were kept in the morgue of a private hospital in Pala, were brought to Jimmy's home parish at Neerikkad by 8:30am for the public to pay homage. Jimmy and his family paid homage at Neerikkad church.

Later, the mortal remains were taken to Jismol's ancestral house in Mutholy. After the ceremonies at home, the bodies were taken to St Mary's Knanaya Church by 4pm. A heavy police force was deployed anticipating violence as her relatives and parish members were furious over Jismol being allegedly subjected to mental trauma by her husband and his relatives.

Church authorities and police had earlier held talks with the relatives of both sides to arrive at an agreement about the funeral. The parish council of Cherukara St Mary's Church had met on Friday night to take steps for conducting a peaceful funeral. Only close relatives were allowed to the cemetery where the family cellar was located. Jose K Mani, MP, Mani C Kappan, MLA, and Francis George, MP, too paid homage.

The three were laid to rest in the cellar where Jismol's mother, Lissy Thomas who had earlier died in an accident, was buried.