THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maranallor police arrested two DYFI workers and has started a manhunt to find five of their accomplices for allegedly vandalising various houses and vehicles at Neeramankuzhy near Ooruttambalam. The arrested men were identified as Saji, 28 and Rajeev, 37 of Neeramankuzhy. The duo were part of a seven-member masked gang who allegedly came to avenge local residents who protested against the opening of a DYFI unit office at Nermankuzhy.
As per the complaints filed by Aji Lal, the masked men trespassed into his house, broke a fish tank and furniture collectively worth around Rs 1 lakh. Mr Lal was sleeping at around 8.30am when he was dragged out from bed and roughed up. The retreating gang vandalised five other houses and damaged a Chevrolet car, autorickshaw and a bike with stones. The attacked house included that of an ex-serviceman Anil Kumar who had conducted a house-warming only on Monday.
A case has been registered under various sections of IPC for offences such as rioting, trespassing, unlawful assembly among others. A team under Nedumangaud DYSP ES Biju Mon visited the spot and a probe is on to arrest the others, police said. Meanwhile, local CPM leaders claimed that the houses that were attacked belonged to those with an allegiance to Youth Congress.
