T’puram: A 29-year-old man, who had been absconding after allegedly attempting to kill a Scheduled Caste youth and assaulting a panchayat vice-president who intervened, was arrested by Kallambalam Police.The arrested person is Haridev of Navaikulam. The incident took place on July 4 at Vettayera Panthuvila Laksham Veedu Colony.According to the police, Haridev brutally assaulted Binu, a Scheduled Caste youth who was employed to look after cattle at Haridev’s house. He allegedly attacked Binu after becoming angry over Binu’s failure to report to work for three consecutive days.Haridev tied Binu’s hands and poured kerosene over him, the police said. On learning about the incident, panchayat vice-president Sandhya reached the spot and attempted to intervene. Haridev allegedly grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground.He then allegedly forced Binu into a car and drove away before abandoning him on the way. The police, who reached the area after being alerted by locals, found Binu and shifted him to the Parippally medical college hospital. Sandhya, who sustained injuries to her neck, also sought medical treatment.Kallambalam police registered a case based on the statements of Binu and Sandhya. Haridev subsequently went into hiding, police said.Following directions from Thiruvananthapuram Rural SP B K Prashanth, a team led by Varkala DSP P V Ramesh Kumar traced and arrested Haridev.The police said Haridev is an accused in several cases registered at Kallambalam and Pallickal police stations, including cases related to attempted murder and drug trafficking.He had been evading arrest while moving between Bengaluru, Hyderabad and parts of Karnataka, police said. Haridev was produced before a court and remanded in custody.
