Gang hacks rubber tapper in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A four-member gang attacked a rubber tapper in the early hours of Tuesday at Valiyamala near Nedumangad. Thulaseedharan Nair (60), a native of Karinga, was assaulted with weapons while tapping rubber at a plantation near Karinga St. Thomas Church. He sustained severe injuries to his face, hands, and chest.

Police suspect that a quotation gang, which had targeted another individual, mistakenly attacked Thulaseedharan Nair. In his statement to the police, the injured man claimed that one of the gang members asked him if his name was Santhosh. Hence, it is suspected that the gang's intended target was Santhosh, an autorickshaw driver from the same locality.

Thulaseedharan Nair reportedly arrived at the plantation daily at 5 a.m. for rubber tapping. It is believed that the gang was hiding in the plantation, waiting for their target. Locals, alerted by Nair's screams, rushed to the scene, took him to the hospital, and informed the police. On seeing the approaching crowd, the attackers fled the scene.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Manorama News reported that the probe team took the autorickshaw driver into custody for questioning. 

Thulaseedharan Nair is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.