Three of family hacked during temple festival in Kollam; Mother, two sons arrested

KOLLAM: Three persons, including a couple and their son, were injured in an attack while returning from a temple pongala at Kottarakkara. Vellaramkunnu natives Sathyan (48), his wife Lata (43) and son Arun (28) were hacked in the attack. They were rushed to Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital.

Considering his serious injuries, Arun was shifted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Arun's wife Amrita and his six-month-old baby were also injured in the attack. In connection with the incident, Mallika (60), sons Vishnu (34) and Vijesh (30) were arrested by the Kottarakkara police from Adoor.

The incident happened around 9 am on Sunday. Mallika and her sons ambushed the family with machete, while they were returning after attending the Pongala at Vellaramkunnu Mariamman Devi Temple. Vijesh and Vishnu aimed the machete at Arun, who fell into the ground holding his toddler. Sathyan who tried to save Arun was hacked first.

The accused then smashed a brick on Latha’s head. It is doubted that the accused came for revenge for a scuffle that took place between both families at the same temple festival two years back. Arun's brother, a soldier, was injured in the conflict that day. The attack happened again on Sunday when the case was still under the consideration of the court. Two months ago, the assailants had threatened the family.

The injured family members stated it was Mallika who first barged at them shouting expletives, only to be followed suit by her sons. The Kottarakkara police registered a case against the accused, including for attempted murder.