Kerala man confesses to murdering 6, police probe shocking claims
The 23-year old man came to Venjaramoodu police station on Monday evening and made the confession, police said.
Kerala Police on Monday said it is investigating the shocking murder confession of a man who appeared at the Venjaramoodu police station in Thiruvananthapuram, claiming he had killed six people, including his brother and grandmother.
While the man claimed to have killed six people, police later said one of his targets - his mother - was critical. The victims included the accused's 13-year-old brother, his grandmother in her 80s, and a young woman said to be his lover.
The 23-year old man, Afan, came to the police station on Monday evening, a news agency PTI report quoted police.
Police earlier reportedly confirmed three deaths and were investigating the details of the other suspected deaths as incident was alleged to have taken place across different locations.
The two other victims were also reportedly his close relatives, police said, adding that his mother has been admitted to a medical college hospital in critical condition.
The mass murder took place across three houses in the Venjaramoodu area near the state capital, police said.
The man was also admitted to hospital after claiming that he had consumed poison. Without divulging further details, the police said they are investigating the circumstances that led to the shocking incident.
Tension in Kerala's Kannur over tribal couple's death
In an unrelated incident from the state, tension prevailed in the Aralam area of Kannur district on Monday after residents protested against wild animal attacks, blocking the ambulance carrying the bodies of a tribal couple who had been killed in a wild elephant attack the previous day.
The protesters demanded that the bodies should not be taken home until Forest Minister AK Saseendran arrived at the location, PTI reported.
Despite talks with political leaders like Kannur MP K Sudhakaran, MLA Sajeev Joseph, and CPI(M) district secretary MV Jayarajan, the protesters refused to change their stance.
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Locals blocked the ambulance by placing trees and stones on the road and staged a sit-in protest. Some protesters climbed onto the bonnet of his car and waved black flags.
Youth Congress workers also blocked the minister's official vehicle at Aralam Panchayat Office, where he had arrived to attend an all-party meeting.
The police intervened, arresting and removing the protesters, allowing the minister to proceed to the panchayat office.
Locals demanded a visit by minister Saseendran to the area and an assurances for resolving the issue.
On Sunday evening, Velli (husband) and Leela (wife) were trampled to death by a wild elephant while collecting cashew nuts at Aralam Farm, Block 13, Karikkamukku.
As the elephant remained near the bodies for a long time, it was initially impossible to retrieve them. The recovery attempt later led to intensified protests.
During late-night discussions, Sub-Collector Karthik Panigrahi and MLA Sunny Joseph were also blocked by protesters.
The police had to forcibly disperse the crowd to rescue them around 11 pm. Finally, at 11.30 pm, the bodies were shifted to the hospital.
The Kerala government announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased, with the first instalment to be handed over on Monday.