Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

One killed in gangland attack

— Photo: S. Gopakumar.

Crime scene: Police officials inspecting the spot near the Passport Office where a youth was hacked to death on Tuesday morning.

Thiruvananthapuram: An armed gang hacked to death a 34-year-old youth at the busy Kaithaimukku Passport Office junction on Tuesday morning.

The police identified the victim of the suspected “mafia hit” as Vishnu, 34, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker.

The incident occurred at 10.15 a.m. Three of the assailants, who had their faces covered with scarves, cut Vishnu down with heavy machetes. (The police counted 13 injuries on Vishnu’s body.) The other three, who were wearing helmets and waiting close by on motorbikes, helped the killers escape.

The police said “inter or intra gang rivalry” could be the reason for the murder. Chiefly, they were investigating whether the killing was retaliation for the murder of Kazhakuttom-based gang leader “Aprani” Krishnakumarlast year. The police were also investigating another gang leader, “Kalpana” Suresh. Vishnu was an accused in the attack on Suresh at the Vanchiyoor court in 2006. Suresh, who is facing trial in a double murder case, is currently in prison. The police believe that they have the identity of two of the assailants. Investigators were also looking at some of Vishnu’s associates, some of whom are businessmen who reclaim wetlands for construction. Gangsters have a big say in the real estate business in the district and “Aprani” Krishnakumar was killed to further the interests of one criminal group, police said.

The investigators were also looking at the possible role of two wanted gang leaders who had fled to Dubai.

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