Gruesome murder shock city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  In a shocking incident that occurred on Wednesday night, two youths were brutally murdered at Aramkal, near Karakulam, just outside the city limits. The victims were identified as Syam, 23, son of Bhuvanachandran of Prem Nivas, Vrindavan Garden, Kokkodu, Vellayambalam and Praveen, 23, son of Ramachandran of Bindu Bhavan, Ravi Nagar, near Thankamma Stadium, Peroorkada.  The police said that both the deceased had a criminal background, with Syam being detained by the police under the Goonda Act earlier and Praveen being accused in several assault cases. According to the police, both the victims sustained over 30 cuts each on their bodies, including on the head. The police also said that even though they suspected a rival goonda gang to be behind the murder owing to the brutal fashion in which the crime was committed, the primary investigation led the police to a professional dance troupe based at Vattiyoorkavu in the city.  According to Nedumangad DySP Mohammed Shafi, a dispute existed between Praveen and a few members of the gang. Praveen had recently bought a used motorcycle from a vendor at Peroorkada market through the suspects. However, a dispute arose between them after Praveen alleged that the performance of the vehicle was not up to the standards promised by the suspects. Both the parties had at least three minor face-offs in this regard.  On Wednesday night, once again they had a dispute over phone and the suspects challenged the victims to come to Vattiyoorkavu. Following this, Praveen set out from his present residence at Enikkara to face his opponents along with Syam and two other accomplices, Sundar and Binu, also hailing from Enikkara. However, the suspects had other plans and they launched a surprise attack at Aramkal, where the victims were least anticipating one. Binu and Sundar managed to escape.  According to the statements given by Binu and Sundar, the murders were executed by about 20 men. The prime suspects have been identified as  Prasanth, Prince and Binu. All the suspects are absconding, said the police.  Meanwhile, there are also allegations that an alleged relationship between Syam and one of the girls of the dance troupe had led to a dispute, which eventually ended up in the double murder.