Sleeping fisherman's head smashed with stone, relative on the run

POOVAR: A fisherman succumbed to grave head injuries after being attacked by his relative on Thursday. Karumkulam native Berkuman(54) is the deceased. Valiyathura native Ranjith, husband of Berkuman’s niece is accused of the crime. As per the police, Ranjith is on the run

According to police, Ranjith is an alcoholic and also a fisherman. He used to beat his wife after his drunk bouts and Berkuman used to question this practice. A rage brewed inside and forced Ranjith to commit this grave crime. Berkuman who used to live with his other sister was sleeping after a good day's work. Ranjith who lives nearby saw the opportunity, grabbed a stone and smashed it into the face of a sleeping Berkuman. He hit him in the face several times.

Berkuman's frightening screams alerted the locals nearby, but sensing this, Ranjith fled the spot. Berkuman was rushed to a medical college hospital but died during the treatment. Doctors said the cause of death was the grave facial injury suffered. Kanjiramkulam police registered a case of murder. Berkuman has no children.