Police said today that a 42-year-old man who allegedly cut his daughter’s throat before killing himself at a Pentecostal prayer center in Kerala yesterday had also tried to slit his son’s throat with a kitchen knife.

The police identified the man as Nibu of Kadakkal village in Kollam district, who worked as a temporary driver with the state transport corporation.

He came to the Immanuel Church of God Worship Centre in Kottarakara in the district on May 15 with his wife, seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.

While the family was preparing to return home, Nibu tried to kill the son with a kitchen knife.

The residents heard the boy’s loud cries and rushed to the scene. The boy managed to escape and was admitted to a hospital in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram.

“When the inmates chased him, he went downstairs and slit his daughter['s throat] with a kitchen knife. Later, he cut his own throat with the same knife,” the official added.

For the past year, Nibu had visited the prayer center managed by Pentecostal pastor, James Punalur. He underwent healing therapies during this time, police said.

According to the police the pastor has no license to run such a center.

During interrogation, the pastor told the police that Nibu attended the divine healing sessions and prayers.

The pastor was not available for comment.

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