Tribal youth stabbed to death in a drunken brawl in Idukki

Idukki: A tribal youth was stabbed to death in Poochpara. The deceased has been identified as Valiyampalakkal Balan (Krishnan). Police said the murder was due to a dispute over drinking. The incident took place near the school in Poochpara around 8 pm on Saturday. Police said Balan’s neighbour Jayan stabbed him. Police have launched a search for the accused Jayan with the help of locals, who fled to a nearby hill. Jayan, an accused in several criminal cases, had killed Balan a few years ago. Police are also investigating whether a drunken dispute was the sole reason behind the murder.