Man held for murder of his friend in Balaramapuram 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The accused who allegedly murdered his friend in Balaramapuram, has been arrested. The accused is Kumar of Pachikode, Vazhimukku. The dead is Biju (40) of Aaluvila in Balaramapuram.

Biju was murdered Sunday evening near his house at around 5 pm. The two intimate friends were seen consuming liquor from morning to noon. After that, the two returned to their homes. Kumar then called Biju on the phone many times but the latter did not pick up the phone. Biju then came out of the house and went near Kumar, who was sitting on his bike. Kumar immediately took the weapon he had in his hand and stabbed and hacked him on his neck, said the police.

On hearing Biju's screams, his wife Manju came running. Biju, who was hacked, ran after Kumar but fell on the ground. He was soon rushed to Neyyatinkara General Hospital but died. The dead Biju makes a living by cutting jackfruit. Kumar is a daily wage labourer. The police said the two used to sit together regularly and drink alcohol. The police suspect that the reason for the murder was an argument that broke out while consuming liquor.