Violent Family Land Dispute in Kerala: Son Attacks Father and Holds Police at Bay for Hours

Doctors have confirmed the critical condition of the father following the violent attack.

Thrissur:

A violent confrontation erupted in Kerala's Thrissur on Saturday when a property dispute between family members escalated dramatically. A man attacked his father with a machete and subsequently barricaded himself inside a house for several hours while threatening suicide.

The violent incident occurred near Shivakshetram temple around 1:30 pm. Police identified the attacker as Vishnu from Muthrathikkara, who violently assaulted his father, Shivan, an auto driver, during an argument over house documents. Shivan suffered severe injuries to his head and neck and is currently in a coma at Thrissur Medical College, fighting for his life.

According to police reports, Shivan and his wife had visited Vishnu at his rented accommodation to inquire about land records. Vishnu allegedly claimed he had disposed of the papers by throwing them into a well. The conversation quickly deteriorated into violence. Vishnu attacked his father initially in the kitchen and continued the assault outside, pursuing him with the knife. Fortunately, Shivan's wife and another relative managed to escape and call for help.

Police and fire service personnel quickly surrounded the premises. Armed with knives, Vishnu locked himself in the upper floor of the house and threatened self-harm if authorities attempted to enter. For more than three hours, officials and local residents tried various means to access the building, including breaking windows and roof tiles. At one point, Vishnu jumped onto a neighboring terrace, holding knives to his own neck to keep rescuers at a distance. The standoff finally concluded around 5:30 pm when authorities, with assistance from local residents, convinced Vishnu to surrender. He was taken into custody after causing hours of tension in the village.

Neighbors informed police that Vishnu, who had been living separately from his parents, frequently engaged in unusual rituals and occult practices alone in his house. Police suspect mental health issues may be involved and have transferred him to Thrissur Medical College for evaluation. Pudukad police stated that his statement will be recorded at the hospital before further legal proceedings.

Medical personnel have confirmed that Shivan remains in critical condition.