KOLLAM: The village of Mynagappally is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 47-year-old Kunjumol, a cancer survivor whose life was cut short in a hit-and-run on Sunday. Known for her resilience and deep commitment to her community, Kunjumol had survived breast cancer but could not survive the road accident.
According to family members, Kunjumol had been receiving treatment at the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram for the past three years. Her battle with cancer was a testament to her strength and she had emerged as a symbol of hope for those battling cancer.
The accident happened at 5.30pm in Mynagappally when a car hit the scooter on which Kunjumol and her sister-in-law Fauzia were travelling. The car then ran over Kunjumol’s body. The accused, Karunagappally resident Ajmal (29) and Neyyattinkara resident Dr Sreekutty (27), fled the scene but were arrested by the Sasthamcotta police on Monday. According to the police, Ajmal, who was driving, and Sreekutty were both intoxicated. The accused were returning from a party in Sasthamcotta, the police said.
Kunjumol’s final act of generosity came just moments before the accident. Alongside Fauzia, she had gone to a nearby shop to buy ingredients for payasam, a sweet dish she had promised to prepare for the Nabi Dinam festival being celebrated at the Mynagappally mosque. “She was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. With God’s grace, she was completely cured of cancer. She had promised to provide payasam to the mosque and had gone to buy ingredients. Unfortunately, she has left us forever,” said P M Sayid, a family friend.
Kunjumol’s husband Noushad, who works as a labourer at the Food Corporation of India godown in Kollam, was left devastated. She had started a small stationery shop last year to support her family. In recent weeks, she had even travelled to Kollam to purchase clothing for sale in her shop. “She was a fighter, not just against cancer but for her family. Cancer is a disease that tests every aspect of a family’s strength, emotionally and financially. Kunjumol and her family stood strong and overcame it together. They were just starting to rebuild their lives,” said B Reghunathan Pillai, a neighbour.
She is survived by her husband and two daughters, Sophiya and Ansiya. Kunjumol’s body was handed over to her relatives after postmortem and the funeral was held at the Juma Mosque in Mynagappally.
Woman Doctor, driver remanded
The two accused in the hit-and-run case — Ajmal and Dr Sreekutty — have been remanded to a judicial custody. According to police, Ajmal, who drove the car, has a criminal background, including previous cases of sandalwood smuggling and fraud.