Kerala's [Images] opposition leader V S Achuthanandan on Thursday said Border Roads Organisation driver Maniappan Kutty who was killed by the Taliban could have been saved if the Union and state government had acted in an effective manner.

"The Governments at the Centre and in the state should have approached the issue far more seriously. A special team should have been constituted to handle the situation as is done during natural disasters," the CPI (M) veteran alleged, after visiting Kutty's family. Meanwhile, state Tourism Minister K C Venugopal said the state government will provide all support to Kutty's family.

"Supporting Maniappan's family is the government's duty. We will do whatever is necessary," he said after calling on the members of the bereaved family.

• 'He just wanted to build a house'

A hartal is being observed in Karthikapally taluk of Alappuzha District to express public sorrow over the killing of Kutty by his captors in Afghanistan.

A steady stream of people are still pouring in at Kutty's house to share the grief of the family members.