
KOLLAM: Eight including the main accused, have been arrested in the murder case of notorious gangster Aluva Athul in broad daylight at Karunagappally. The police have also taken into custody two vehicles used for the crime. Police said that a major conspiracy was hatched for the murder and that the accused were watching Athul's movements in two cars.
Aluva Athul convicted in the Gym Santhosh murder case, was released from jail three days ago. He had gone to the police station to sign papers as required by the bail conditions in a murder case. Athul, who was returning after signing yesterday, the accused followed him in two cars. One of the cars drove slowly in front of the vehicle he was travelling in and controlled the speed. The Innova hit Athul’s car forcing it into a pit. Later attacked him by breaking the window of the car with a machete. Then dragged Athul out of the car in the middle of the road and hacked him to death. Manu of Ochira, who was with Athul, was injured but sought treatment at a private hospital.
The four accused directly involved in the crime were arrested from Mundakkayam in Idukki. The accused caught by the Kottayam police were handed over to the Kollam police. With this, the police informed that all the eight accused involved in the case have been arrested. The Kollam City Police Commissioner clarified that the investigation is in the initial stage.
The incident is due to the vendetta between the Kudathur-Vayanakam goons. Aluva Athul is a member of the Wayanakam goonda gang in Ochira. While returning after killing Gym Santhosh, Athul and his gang attacked two members of the Kudathur gang. It is believed that this enmity led to the murder of Aluva Athul. It is also reported that the intelligence and special branch had given a report that Aluva Athul had death threats.