Thiruvananthapuram: Police have arrested one person in connection with the hacking of two men following a clash between two groups during a temple festival in Kovalam.The arrested person is Sachin, 30, of Vizhinjam. He is the third accused in the case. He was taken into custody from R K N Road by the Kovalam police. Officials said a special squad has been formed to trace and arrest the remaining accused. Police said Sachin had earlier been convicted in a case of abetment to suicide linked to his wife’s death and was released from prison in 2020. The clash occurred around 10.30pm on April 23 during the Kuzhivila temple festival at Neelakeshi Pandara Vilakam, Venganur. The injured were as Naveenraj, 32, and his friend Vishnudev, 30. Both are natives of Kovalam. Naveenraj sustained a deep cut on his left arm, severing a nerve and a fracture. Vishnudev suffered a stab injury on his abdomen. According to police, the violence stemmed from an argument between Arun Chandran, a friend of the victims, and Pranav, the second accused, during the temple festival. Though the group initially dispersed, the accused allegedly regrouped and returned to attack Arun. When Naveenraj and Vishnudev intervened in the issue, they were attacked with sharp weapons. Police have registered a case against Unni, who runs a hotel named Kerala Cafe in Kovalam, and his associates Pranav, Sachin and Vipin Raj. Police said other accused will be arrested soon.
