Masked gang attack in Kochi: Woman seriously injured while returning from prawn farm

Kochi: A woman was left seriously injured after being assaulted by a masked gang at Vallarpadam on Sunday night. The victim, Vinny, wife of Panambukad fish farm owner Paul Peter, was attacked by three assailants and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam.

The attack took place as Vinny was about to leave for home from their prawn farm. While she stood near her vehicle, three masked men approached. Realising the danger, she attempted to make a phone call, but before she could react, one of them ran up and struck her on the back of the head with an iron rod, Paul said. As she collapsed, the gang continued to beat her mercilessly.

Vinny suffered severe injuries, including deep head wounds that required around 20 stitches, as well as a fractured arm. The Mulavukad Police has registered a case and launched an investigation.

Paul stated that there had been ongoing disputes related to his fish farm, and he had earlier received death threats from a local leader, which he had reported to the police. It is suspected that the masked gang was targeting him but attacked Vinny instead.