CHELAKKARA: A man accused of stealing betel nuts was allegedly beaten up by a group. Following the incident, a police team led by Chelakkara CI E Balakrishnan arrested four people-Abbas (48), of Plakkal Peedika in Killimangalam, his brother Ibrahim (41), their cousin Altaf (21) and a nearby resident Kabir (35).

Santhosh (32) was beaten up in the early hours of Vishu Day, when he allegedly tried to steal betel nuts from the house of Abbas, who is betel nut merchant. He is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the medical college.

The story goes like this: Betel nuts kept in sacks in Abbas' house were getting stolen regularly. A complaint was lodged with the police in this regard. A CCTV camera was also installed as the theft increased. On Vishu Day, at two in the morning, Abbas saw the theft attempt on CCTV and with the help of family members and locals, caught the thief and beat him up.

After getting the information, the police reached the spot at 3 am and took Santhosh, who was beaten up, to the Chelakkara Taluk Hospital. Then Santosh, who became unconscious during the initial treatment, was admitted to the medical college. He underwent emergency surgery due to severe head injury. He is still not out of critical stage. In the investigation conducted focusing on the CCTV footage, the police identified eleven people involved in beating up Santosh. Officials said they will be arrested soon.