A police team led by Alappuzha Dy.SP. P.V. Baby has intensified search to nab the absconding accused involved in the murder of Kakan Manu.

The body of Kakan Manu, 28, allegedly murdered by a gang, was found buried on Galilea beach near Punnapra on Saturday. The police have so far arrested five persons -Pathrose John (Appappan Pathrose), 28, Saneesh (Simon), 29, Omanakuttan (Joseph) 19, Vipin (Antony Xavier), 28 and John Paul, 27- in connection with the murder. According to officials, apart from the arrested, five or more persons were involved in the murder.The police said that Manu was an accused in a case in connection with an attack on the brother of Saneesh four years ago and the gang killed him in retaliation.

Earlier, the police launched a probe based on complaint filed by Manoharan, father of Manu, saying that his son had gone missing from Paravoor, near Punnapra, since August 19. The investigation revealed that he went missing after the accused had an altercation with Manu outside a bar at Paravoor. This led to the arrest of Pathrose and Saneesh. Pathrose and Saneesh initially told the police that the gang murdered Manu and dumped his body in the sea on Galilea beach.