Alappuzha, August 24: Eleven gang members wanted in connection with the murder of a businessman were arrested today, with police discounting the possiblity of the killing being the result of a pre-planned attack.
IGP Winson M Paul, heading the team probing the case, told reporters here that Paul Muthoot George appeared to have been murdered by the gang on a “sudden provocation” after they came across him at a deserted spot on Alappuzha-Changanssery road early on Saturday.
He said all aspects, including the role of two known gang leaders from Thiruvananthapuram who were accompanying George when the incident occurred were also being probed. They would also examine if any “deeper conspiracy” was involved, he said
Paul said the gang, who were proceeding to Aalappuzha in a tempo for a criminal operation killed George following a scuffle after George’s vehicle hit and threw off a motorcyclist.They chased his car for about 2.5 km, blocked it and stabbed him with a sharp weapon.
The other gang members, apart from 11 already arrested, were yet to be traced, including the person who stabbed George.
He said the search for two leaders Omprakash and Rajesh, was on, whose arrest would lead to more details of the case.
Goerge, the two goons, his driver Shibu and one Manu, who has been hospitalised with injuries, had started from Kochi in two cars. They stopped in a beach resort and had food, after which they travelled to a under construction lake-side resort at Pallathuruthi, where they came face to face with gang.
—Agencies