Kochi, March 29 -- A village officer in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala has gone on leave and sought a transfer from the area alleging threats to his life from a local CPI(M) leader.

Joseph George, the village officer in Naranganam, submitted a request on Friday to district collector Prem Krishnan for a transfer to another village citing fears for his life on the basis of a threat issued by CPI(M) area secretary MV Sanju during a phone call.

George had phoned Sanju to ask him to pay the dues of building tax that he owed to the panchayat. During the phone call, the recording of which later appeared on social media and local TV channels, the conversation turned into an argument and Sanju was heard warning George that he would "enter his...