Dental student shot dead by friend at Kothamangalam

Kochi: A dental college student was shot dead by a friend, who also took his life with the same gun at Kothamangalam on Friday.

PV Manasa, 24, a native of Kannur, was reportedly shot dead by Rakhil near the Indira Gandhi College at Nellikuzhi in Kothamangalam. According to police sources, the duo had quarreled in the past as well.

The incident took place around 3.30 pm.

Manasa was staying as a paying guest with three other friends. According to television reports, Rakhil had reached Kothamangalam from Kannur few days ago.

He had reportedly stormed into the house and dragged Manasa into a room. Her friends heard two gun shots followed by a third one. They reportedly saw Manasa and Rakhil lying on the floor.

Manasa is believed to have been still alive when her friends found her, but she was confirmed dead at a hospital.

Manasa had been shot twice, once in the head and on the chest by the assailant before he took his life. Kothamangalam SI Mahin confirmed the deaths but is yet to ascertain the motive behind the killing.

Locals told Manorama News that Rakhil had been staying in the locality since July 4.

"She was to complete her house surgency in a month," said Ernakulam Rural SP K Karthik.
"The man, Rakhil, aged 32 is believed to have known the woman for some time."

The post-mortem will be conducted at Kalamassery Medical College and according to the police, details about the gun used for the murder and suicide can only be confirmed by ballistic experts.