Poovar has been witnessing strange incidents for the past one month. An altercation, over the ‘ghost’ of a young woman haunting the coastal area of the district, has already claimed two lives.
Antony Mariadasan, 45, who was injured in the fight between two groups, succumbed to his injuries in the Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday. His relative Kristhudasan was also fatally injured in the clash and died on Sunday.
The clash between two families, which later turned into a fight between two groups, started one month ago over the ghost of a 20-year-old woman. Sandhya, daughter of Banchilas and Mariyam, was found hanging in her house on September 27. Her death reportedly occurred immediately after she returned from the wedding of her friend and neighbour Rosy.
The police said that the parents and relatives of Sandhya believed that the death was caused due to a potion - kaivisham in local parlance - given to Sandhya by Rosy’s parents. Days after, Rosy also tried to commit suicide which her relatives alleged was due to the ‘inspiration’ from the ‘ghost’ of Sandhya.
“The row started there and later developed into a fight,” said Circle Inspector of Poovar A Amminikkuttan.
Nine persons from both the families were involved in the fight which occurred on Saturday during the memorial services of Sandhya. Police, though registered cases against all, could not arrest anyone as all the accused had been absconding. Three others, who were injured in the clash, are undergoing treatment at the Medical College Hospital.