Renjit T. Nelluvelil (56), chief executive officer of Kochi-based LOTS Shipping Limited, was shot dead by dacoits in South Sudan on Saturday while he was travelling in a car from Mangala, a village, to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, some 60 kms away.
Renjit hailed from Cherupuzha in Kannur, but was staying with his family in an apartment at Marine Drive here.
K. Shyam, general manager (technical) of the company said that dacoits had fired at the car around 5.30 p.m. (Sudanese time) on Saturday, fatally injuring Renjit. They had also taken away his belongings, including his passport. The car diver, a Kenyan national who got shot in the eye, is battling for life.
“With help from the government, we have been able to send across a copy of his passport. Captain Philip Mathews, the company’s managing director, has reached Sudan to get the body to Thiruvananthapuram, where the funeral is likely to take place,” said Mr. Shyam.
Renjit had gone to Sudan to drydock three barges operated by Tristar Energy for River Transport Limited, Khartoum.
Renjit is survived by his wife and two children.