Moolamattom: The shop owner said that Philip Martin, the accused in the shooting case that led to the murder of one person in Idukki Moolamattom, was abducted along with another. I went to the shop and asked for beef curry. But Soumya, the shop owner, said that following being informed that it was over, they had a vulgar year and got into a dispute with others in the shop.
One of the two men who came to the shop was well drunk. Beef Curry asked. When he said the beef curry was over, he spoke in bad language and called Teri. Subsequently, two people who came to buy the parcel got involved in the issue. She said it was an institution run by women for a living and should not be called out of trouble. As they were being pushed away, they began to push each other.
Soumya said they later opened fire from outside the shop. Everyone was inside the shop, including the mother, sister and children when the shooting took place. At this time some of the locals did not come inside the shop just because they were outside the shop. The incident in which the conductor of a private bus was killed took place regarding a kilometer away from the shop. Soumya said the incident took place when the accused left the shop.
Meanwhile, the police have recorded the arrest of the accused Philip Martin. The accused has given a statement to the police regarding the gun used in the attack. Police said the defendant had revealed the source of the gun, but might not release it. Police said the case is being investigated.
Sanal Babu, 32, a resident of Keerithode, was shot dead by the conductor of a private bus called Devi operating in Moolamattom. According to eyewitnesses, Philip fired at Sanal and his friend Pradeep, who were riding their bikes. Pradeep Kumar, who is undergoing treatment at the shooting hospital, is in critical condition.
