Criminal gangs clash at Pattoor over biz dispute

Thiruvananthapuram: Four people were injured in a clash between two criminal gangs over business disputes at Pattoor in the wee hours of Sunday.
The injured were admitted to the Medical College hospital and KIMS hospital and their injuries were not severe, said police. According to reports, the injured have complained that they were attacked by the gang of notorious gangster Om Prakash. However, the police are yet to verify their claim.
The injured have been identified by the police as Anad natives Adithya (34), Nithin (25), Praveen (28), and Tintu Shekhar (25).
Pettah police have registered a case against five men under sections of the IPC 307 for attempt to murder, 323 for causing hurt, 324 for causing hurt using a weapon, 294-b for abusing, 141 for unlawful assembly, 147 for rioting, and the Arms Act.
According to the police, the injured and the accused are involved in various criminal cases registered at the Museum, Poojappura, and Nedumangad police stations, and all of them are engaged in various real estate and vehicle businesses.
Recently, the complainants clashed with Om Prakash over a business deal, and the four claim that they were assaulted by Om Prakash’s friends, Arif and Asif, in retaliation.
On Saturday night, the complainants first went to Asif and Arif’s house, under the Museum police station limits, and assaulted them. While they were returning, Asif called Nithin over the phone and challenged him, and the complainants waited for them at Shanghumugham beach.
Due to some reason, they could not meet the opposite gang there, but when the complainants reached near the Pattoor petrol pump, Asif and a gang came in two cars and assaulted the complainants using swords.