Gang Feud Turns Deadly: Murder Accused Hacked to Death in Kollam After Bail
In a brutal incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a murder case accused who was recently released on bail was hacked to death in broad daylight near Karunagappally in Kollam district on Saturday. Police suspect this violent attack to be part of an ongoing gang feud and have taken four individuals into custody in connection with the murder.
Details of the Daylight Attack
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Athul, also known as Aluva Athul, was the prime accused in the murder of gang leader Gym Santhosh last year. The attack occurred around 11:15 AM near Puthiyakavu on the National Highway while Athul was returning after reporting at the Karunagappally police station as required by his bail conditions.
According to police reports, a gang traveling in a Haryana-registered SUV chased the blue car in which Athul was traveling toward Oachira. The attackers deliberately rammed Athul's vehicle into a depression along an under-construction stretch of the NH near a newly opened petrol pump.
Four armed men then emerged from the SUV, smashed the windows of Athul's car, dragged him out, and repeatedly hacked him with deadly weapons. Manu, also known as Kuku, who was traveling with Athul and believed to have been driving the car, also sustained injuries but managed to escape the brutal assault.
Police Response and Investigation
City police commissioner Hemalatha confirmed that police have detained four people in connection with the murder. Two of those detained were directly involved in the attack, while the other two allegedly helped the accused hide after committing the crime.
Police have chosen to withhold the identities of all detained individuals, stating that revealing their names could potentially compromise the ongoing investigation. The assailants fled the scene in the same SUV after completing their attack.
Police rushed the grievously injured Athul, who had sustained severe injuries to his head and legs, to a private hospital in Karunagappally. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
Background of the Gang Feud
This violent incident appears to be connected to the murder of gang leader Gym Santhosh on March 27 last year. In that previous attack, a gang allegedly led by Athul broke open the door of Santhosh's house using explosives and hacked him to death in front of his mother. The same gang later attacked Aneer, an associate of Santhosh, near Vavvakkavu while fleeing the scene.
Following that incident, Athul had gone into hiding and was arrested by police about a month later from Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu. During the investigation, police recovered deadly weapons, including a pistol, from his house in Vallikunnam.
Athul had been released on bail in the Santhosh murder case just two days before his own murder and was required to report daily at the Karunagappally police station as part of his bail conditions.
Political Reaction and Community Impact
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal expressed shock at the cold-blooded murder, calling it another manifestation of what he described as a total breakdown of law and order in the state. "Systems like the police which are supposed to curb hooliganism are giving protection to those who are indulging in it," he alleged in a strongly worded statement.
The victim, Athul, was the son of Ashokan and Rajini. He is survived by his wife Pratheesha and son Atmaaj. The community remains shaken by the brazen nature of this daylight attack, which occurred on a busy national highway stretch.
Police continue their investigation into both this recent murder and its connections to the ongoing gang feud that has now claimed multiple lives. The detention of four suspects marks a significant development in the case, though authorities emphasize that their investigation remains ongoing and more details may emerge as they continue their probe.
