Kottayam: Five held for mob attack on fish vendor in Idukki

Kottayam: Munnar police on Tuesday arrested five people for allegedly assaulting a fish vendor.  K George, 62, his son Arun, 35, neighbour J. Aby, 35, V. Jayesh, 32, and A. Saji, 35, were held for attacking M. Makkar, 68, of Adimaly Valara Thannely, who got admitted to the Taluk hospital, Kothamangalam.

The incident happened at Mankulam Thonnuttaru near Munnar last week. Mr George, who led the attack, is the first accused in the case.

The police said Mr Ma-kkar asked Mr George to return Rs 25,000 he owes him. The local people took him to the hospital after the assault, allegedly accusing him of insulting Mr Arun's wife, which spread on social media.  The Judicial first class magistrate court at Devikulam remanded them in judicial custody. Merchants observed a two-hour hartal in Adimaly 10th Mile on Tuesday.