KOLLMAM: A man brutally beat up an employee of a temple alleging low sound of a percussion instrument. Venugopal, an employee of Thevalakkara Major Devi Temple in Chavara, was at the receiving end of the thrashing. The accused had come to attend the 'shiveli' ceremony in the temple and attacked him alleging that the sound for 'panchavadyam' was not up to mark. The incident happened on Wednesday.

Venugopal is a temporary employee of the temple. "The attack took place after blocking me and stopping 'panchavadyam'. The accused assaulted me by saying that the percussion should be louder and that I shouldn't work here anymore," Venugopal told the media.

The accused, who was intoxicated, beat Venugopal by putting a stone inside a towel. Venugopal was rescued by other temple staff who saw the incident. The accused already fled by then. Thekkumbhagam police have registered a case on the complaint of the Devaswom Board. The police have registered a case against the accused under various sections. The police have informed that the investigation for the accused, who is absconding, is in progress.

At the same time, there are allegations that the accused is the former secretary of the temple advisory committee. There is also criticism that there is collusion behind the fact that the attacker has not been arrested yet.