A 60-year-old woman, Omana, and her three-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Swasthika, were hacked to death by a man at Alamcode near Attingal here on Wednesday. Omana’s son, Lijeesh, sustained serious injuries in the attack. The accused, Nino Mathew, an employee with a Technopark company, was arrested from Kazhakuttam later.
The Attingal police said Nino Mathew, a colleague of Anu Shanti, wife of Lijeesh, allegedly entered their home at Alamcode around 12.30 p.m. and unleashed an attack. Only Omana and the child, Lijeesh’s daughter, were at the house then. Lijeesh who came in soon after was also attacked. His cries brought neighbours to the house and Nino fled. Omana and Swasthika died on the way to hospital. Lijeesh is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here. His condition is stated to be out of danger. The police traced Nino, a native of Kulathoor, by means of his mobile phone signals and arrested him. R. Prathapan Nair, Dy.SP, Attingal, said the reasons that provoked the attack were yet to be ascertained. Nino would be produced in court, he said.