Thrissur inmate escapes mental health centre, stabs 3 in early-morning attack

THRISSUR: An inmate who escaped from the Thrissur govt mental health centre stabbed three people in nearby areas in the early hours of Saturday. The accused, who has been identified as Suraj (31) from Nepal, was later restrained by residents in the area and handed over to the police. One of those injured, Villadath Veettil Murali (64) of Kamath Lane at Kottappuram, has been admitted to a private hospital in the city and had to undergo a surgery. He was stabbed when he tried to stop Suraj from entering his premises. Murali sustained abdominal injuries while the other two suffered only minor injuries. Suraj was brought to the mental health centre early on Saturday after police in Ernakulam spotted him moving in a suspicious manner in Aluva. However, he escaped within an hour of his admission, through a pathway near the toilet.Meanwhile, HC judge Justice Devan Ramachandran has sought a report on the incident from the amicus curiae appointed to look into matters related to mental health care. The HC will take up the matter for hearing on Monday.