Two 23-year-old youths were hacked to death in a gangland murder at Aramkallu, 4 km from Peroorkada, on the busy Thiruvananthapuram-Shencottah stretch on Wednesday night. According to the rural police, the deceased has been identified as Shyam alias ‘Kokkottaella Shyam’ and Praveen. The incident took place around 10.45 p.m., near the waiting shed at Aramkallu that falls under Nedumangad police station limits.
The police have recovered two motorcycles, a machete and a sharp-edged weapon, reportedly used for the murder, from the site. According to the police, Shyam was involved in several criminal cases and was earlier booked under the provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that there were no police cases against Praveen.
Rural police said the inter-gang rivalry had led to the murder in the suburbs of the city. The duo were called to Aramkallu, over telephone, and allegedly hacked by the rival gang. Police said the death is due to the injuries sustained from weapons.
The police have found that in all four people, including the deceased youths, were involved and efforts are on to nab those behind the murder. A team led by the Nedumangad Deputy Superintendent of Police, K. Mohammed Shafi, is investigating into the incident. The body was shifted to the Medical College Hospital mortuary on Thursday morning after the inquest.
