WAYANAD: A car-borne tourists were seen dragging an Adivasi youth across the road in Mananthavady. Mathan, who intervened in a dispute between two groups, was brutally assaulted by the people in the car. The locals said the youth was dragged for about half a kilometer by holding his hand to the car door.

A verbal dispute broke out between two groups who had come to see the check dam at Payyampally Koodal Kadavu in Mananthavady. Hearing the commotion, an argument broke out between the locals and tourists who had come to intervene in the matter. Mathan was dragged across the road by the people in the car when a youth was stopped from attacking them with stones. The adivasi youth, who suffered injuries on his waist and arms, has been admitted to Mananthavady Medical College.

The police have registered a murder attempt case in the incident. The car that dragged the youth has not been found yet. The police have started an investigation for the Maruti Celerio car bearing registration number KL 52 H 8733. There were four people in the car. The car is registered in the name of Muhammed Riyas of Kuttippuram.