Kottayam (Keralam) | A CPI(M) panchayat member and five others have been arrested in connection with the death of a 48-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by them in Manimala here, police said on Friday.

The deceased was identified as Shibu Khan of Karikattoor in Manimala.

The accused were identified as Joji John, a panchayat member in Manimala, Shibin Sam, Amal Raj, Jobin Rajan, Kiran and Nikhil Ayyappan.

Shibu was found dead in a rubber plantation near Manimala on Wednesday, a day after he and another person were allegedly assaulted by the accused, police said.

According to police, Shibu and his friend had allegedly trespassed into Joji's house and assaulted his mother, who has mental health issues.

Following the incident, Joji and his friends allegedly attacked Shibu and his friend, police said.

Locals had raised suspicions of foul play after Shibu was found dead, as the alleged assault had taken place a day earlier.

The post-mortem examination conducted at Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Thursday revealed severe internal organ damage, which was identified as the cause of death, police said.

Following the post-mortem findings, Manimala police arrested Joji and the five others after questioning them and gathering evidence, officials said.

The six accused will be produced before a court on Friday, police said.