Kollam: A history-sheeter was injured on Sunday when the service revolver of a policeman went off accidentally. This happened when the police tried to take the 25-year-old criminal into custody near here. Punalur native Mukesh suffered injury on his face after the gunshot was fired.
Pathanapuram police station Sub Inspectors JP Arun Kumar, Sabu P Lukose, Civil Police Officers T Vishnu and VS Vineeth were also injured after the accused attacked them. They are currently undergoing treatment at Punalur taluk hospital.
The incident took place at the residence of Mukesh’s relative on Saturday midnight. On Saturday, Punnala Neelakandapuram temple and Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School were burgled. The CCTV footage recovered from the school revealed that Mukesh looted valuables from both places.
When police reached his relative’s house, the family claimed that Mukesh was out of station. But he was later found hiding under a cot inside the house.
"There are at least 25 cases against the history-sheeter in this district alone. Our team went to take him into custody in relation to a recent theft. But he attacked us. So, one of the officers took out a revolver after he brandished a knife. He tried to snatch the revolver but it fired accidentally," a senior police official told PTI.
Police said four officers were injured in the attack. After the gun was fired, police and natives overpowered Mukesh and tied him.
CPO Vishnu suffered a fracture on his neck in the attack. The accused only suffered a minor injury as the bullet slid over his face.
After administering first aid at Punalur taluk hospital, the accused was produced before the court and remanded.
He is booked for attacking and attempting to murder the cops, informed Pathanapuram SI S Jayakrishnan.
(with added inputs from PTI)
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