Tribal man dragged by car in Kerala’s Wayanad, police register case
Accused charged with attempted murder. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when the tribal man was dragged about half a kilometre along the road at Chemmad in Wayanad
Updated – December 16, 2024 03:19 pm IST – KALPETTA
The Mananthavady police in Wayanad, Kerala, registered a case against a group of people on Monday (December 16, 2024) in connection with the incident where a tribal man was dragged by a car. The accused have been charged with attempted murder.
The victim, identified as Mathan, 49, of the Chemmad tribal hamlet at Koodalkadavu near Mananthavady, sustained severe injuries to his arms and legs in the incident. He has been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Mananthavady.
The incident occurred on Sunday (December 15, 2024) evening when the man was dragged about half a kilometre along the road in the Chemmad area.
Vehicle owner identified
The police have identified the owner of the vehicle as Muhammad Riyas, a resident of Kuttipuram in Malappuram district, based on car documents. However, it remains unclear whether Riyas was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. Eyewitnesses reported that there were five people in the vehicle – three in the back seat and two in the front.
However, no arrests have been made so far, the police said.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened after an altercation between the tourists and Mathan near the Koodalkadavu checkdam. Local residents reported that the group of tourists arrived in two vehicles.
Meanwhile, Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes O.R. Kelu has directed the police to take stringent action against the offenders and communicated the request to the Wayanad District Police Chief.
Mr. Kelu expressed concern regarding the attack on the man. He stated that the government has initiated necessary steps to ensure that the accused are arrested and face punishment.
He also instructed the superintendent of the medical college hospital to provide Mathan the required treatment and directed officials from the Scheduled Caste Development department to give assistance in this regard.
