Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday announced Rs 5 lakh as solatium from his government to the family of S R Sreejith (26), who died after custodial torture in Varappuzha in Ernakulam district last month.

Deb's announcement came a few hours ahead of his turn as a campaigner for the BJP in Chengannur where a byelection is scheduled on May 28.

The chief minister who visited Sreejith's family along with BJP leaders and condemned the custodial death, which had led to severe criticism of policing under the CPM-led state government.

Deb also referred to political compulsions behind Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's failure to visit Sreejith’s family. "He’s the chief minister of the state, not of the Communist party," Deb told reporters.

He said Tripura was a small state but it did not have a "small heart".

Sreejith was among those detained on April 6 in connection with the suicide of Vasudevan, a native of Varappuzha.

Sreejith's family claimed that he was subjected to custodial torture, causing serious injuries to his internal organs.

The police shifted Sreejith to a private hospital where he died. It was later confirmed that he was detained on the basis of false leads.

Five police officers, including a circle inspector, were arrested in connection with the death.

The state government has provided a government job for Akhila, Sreejith’s wife. She joined the North Paravur taluk office as a village assistant, on Wednesday.

The government had earlier handed over Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Sreejith's family.