Tension prevailed at Adimalathura beach near Vizhinjam on Saturday night after two groups of fishermen residing in the nearby colony got into a scuffle over the alleged murder of a fishermen, the other day. Unruly scenes in the coastal region continued throughout the night. Police admit that they were having difficulty in controlling the law and order situation in the area. The deceased has been identified as Simon, 50 of Admimalathura. The police are on the look-out for the accused, Alexander who was a neighbour of Simon, residing in the same colony near Adimalathura beach. What happened ? On April 12, Simon and Alexander had a brawl at the beach. The argument, later, turned into a scuffle. Apparently, Alexander roughed up Simon who fell down on the ground. As Simon became unconscious, he did not receive any treatment. It was only next day, that Simon was taken to a nearby clinic at Adimalathura after he gained consciousness. He was referred to the Medical College Hospital. Simon succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon. The body has been kept at the Medical college hospital morgue for autopsy. On Saturday evening, a huge fight broke out between friends of Simon and Alexander, Verbal abuse turned sour after the news of Simon’s death was confirmed. The fight continued for over six hours. Police attacked Meanwhile, Vizhinjam police who reached the spot, were blocked by the crowd who also hurled stones at them. Windshields of two police jeeps were also damaged. When the police tried to enter the beach, locals blocked them in efforts to protect Alexander. Accused still at large When contacted, the Vizhinjam SI, S Balachandran said that the accused Alexander is being harbored by a group at the colony near the beach. The law and order situation has not come back to normal. We have deployed a few personnel including mufti police for finding his hide-out. We also directed the police men who are residing in the coastal region to spot the accused. The arrest will be made soon without affecting the law and order, Balachandran said. He also added that the reason for Simon’s death is yet to be ascertained. Commissioner speak According to city police commissioner, G Sparjan Kumar, the city police are weighing all options to control the law and order situation by speaking to fishermen personally. It is a sensitive area. We are doing everything to restrain their anger. They are emotively charged’ now. Some of them want us to arrest Alexander and some don’t. We will deploy more personnel at the area if needed. The arrest willbe recorded soon.
2016, The New Indian Express.