THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A clash erupted in front of the Thiruvallam police station in Thiruvananthapuram after locals and relatives of Suresh, who died while in police custody, besieged the police station and the road. Thiruvallam Nelliyode native P Suresh (42) died on Monday while he was in police custody. He was taken to the hospital after he complained of chest pain, However, his life could not be saved.

Suresh and four others were arrested by the Thiruvallam police on Sunday night for attacking a young couple. The other four are Rajesh, Rajesh Kumar, Vineeth and Biju. On Sunday night, Suresh and his friends were talking at Judgekunnu when a youth, his wife and a friend reached the area on a luxury car. Following this, Suresh and the gang stopped the three and attacked them. According to the Thiruvallam police, Suresh and others were arrested for harassing the couple. Meanwhile, Suresh's relatives and locals denied the allegations. They said that Suresh and others stopped the couple from going to Judgekunnu as the area had turned into a hub for antisocial elements.

The locals alleged that the police had brutally beaten Suresh and his friends before taking them into custody. They also said that the police had dragged Suresh and his friends to the jeep. After this, the family and the locals came to know about the news of Suresh's death yesterday morning.

Although people's representatives and local political leaders had contacted the police to release the accused, the police refused to release them by stating that they were accused of harassing a woman.

On Monday morning, Suresh complained of chest pain. Though he was rushed to the Poonthura Gov Hospital and later to Ananthapuri Hospital, he could not be saved. Police tried to conduct the inquest in the presence of the RDO, but the relatives did not allow it. Locals, led by various political parties, then intensified the protest. Later, sub-collector Madhavikutty reached the spot and spoke with the protesters. However, the locals insisted that they will not stop the protest until the authorities take action against the guilty policemen. With this, the sub-collector backed down. The locals then besieged the Thiruvallam- Vandithadam road. Thiruvallam and its environs are under heavy police cordon due to possible clashes.

Suresh's body, which is kept in the Ananthapuri hospital mortuary, will be shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital for postmortem today, police said.