Kollam: A notorious gangster identified as Aluva Athul was hacked to death in broad daylight in Kerala’s Karunagappally town on Saturday in an incident believed to be linked to an ongoing gang rivalry. The attack took place near Puthiyakavu and was captured on CCTV cameras, footage of which has since surfaced.
Athul was the first accused in the murder of another gangster, Santhosh, popularly known as Gym Santhosh, who was killed last year. Police said Athul had recently come out of prison on bail and was travelling in a car when the attack occurred.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident and are searching for the attackers involved in the killing.
Car rammed before fatal attack
According to preliminary information from the police, Athul was travelling in a car when another vehicle carrying a group of assailants rammed into it near Puthiyakavu in Karunagappally.
The impact reportedly pushed Athul’s car off the road and into a nearby drain. Soon after the collision, around five individuals who had arrived in the other vehicle reportedly got out and surrounded the car.
The attackers allegedly dragged Athul or attacked him while he was still inside the vehicle and repeatedly assaulted him with sharp weapons.
The brutal attack occurred in full public view, shocking bystanders in the area.
CCTV footage surfaces
CCTV cameras installed in the area reportedly captured the entire sequence of events, including the moment when the attackers rammed the car and launched the assault.
The footage has become a key piece of evidence for investigators attempting to identify the suspects and reconstruct the incident.
Police officials said they are analysing the video along with other evidence to determine the exact sequence of events and confirm the identities of the attackers.
Gang rivalry suspected
Initial findings suggest that the killing was a result of a long-standing rivalry between two criminal gangs operating in the Karunagappally and Ochira regions of Kollam district.
Police sources indicated that the feud between the groups had been ongoing for several years and had previously resulted in violent clashes.
Investigators believe the murder may have been carried out as retaliation for the killing of Gym Santhosh.
Background: Murder of Gym Santhosh
Gym Santhosh, a local gang leader, was murdered on March 27 last year in an attack that shocked the region.
According to police records, Athul and members of his gang had allegedly gone to Santhosh’s house in a car early in the morning and carried out the attack.
The attackers reportedly hurled a bomb at the house before assaulting Santhosh. Police said Athul allegedly used a club to break Santhosh’s legs during the attack.
Santhosh’s mother was present at the house at the time of the incident, adding to the shock and gravity of the crime.
Following the murder, Athul went into hiding but was later traced and arrested by police in Thiruvallur in neighbouring Tamil Nadu about 21 days after the incident.
Investigation underway
Police officials said the vehicle used by the attackers in Saturday’s incident did not carry a Kerala registration number, suggesting that the gang may have travelled from another state or attempted to conceal their identity.
Search operations have been launched to track down the suspects, and investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the vehicle’s movement before and after the attack.
Authorities are also questioning potential witnesses and analysing call records and other digital evidence.
Conclusion
The killing of Aluva Athul has once again drawn attention to the violent gang rivalries operating in parts of Kollam district.
Police have intensified efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the attack. Officials said strict action will be taken against all individuals responsible as the investigation continues.