Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 22: In an incident that occurred at Vidyanagar Nelkala Colony here, a gang attacked a home where a youth and his paramour had been sheltered, hacked the youth to death besides injuring his paramour and the woman who provided shelter to them, on Tuesday April 21.

James (31), son of Varkey, a resident of Peringam Padiyott Chal Chunnamukk in Kannur district was mercilessly hit with sharp weapons and killed, while his paramour Savitri (27), wife of Manikanthan from Padiyott Chal and Reena (22), sister-in-law of Savitri, were inflicted with serious injuries.

Savitri, wife of Manikanthan and driver James reportedly loved each other and fled from their respective homes about two weeks ago. Their relatives launched a secret search operation for them, without registering any official complaint with the police. It is said, they gathered information that the lovers stayed at the residence of Reena, a widow and who lived with her daughter, in Kasargod since the last few days.

A gang which entered the home of Reena at around 3.30 am on Tuesday by breaking open the front door launched an indiscriminate assault with sharp weapons on James. Savitri and Reena who tried to shield James, too were hit. James died on the spot. Injured Reena and Savitri were admitted to a hospital in Mangalore.

It is said that the killers came in a jeep and only two from among them entered the house. As Savitri's children Saumya and Shruti raised an alarm, neighbourers rushed to the spot. Before they could realize what was happening, the attackers fled in the jeep.

The policemen pressed sniffer dogs into service, which led them up to the College ground. The policemen have recovered a pair of footwear and a shirt reportedly left behind by the attackers.  They have also taken into custody Manikanthan from Kannur Padiyott Chal on suspicion about his involvement in the crime and are interrogating him.