Title: Youngsters Evicted from Kochi Hotel after Consuming Alcohol in Public, Assault Owner and Employees
Pandemonium erupted at a hotel near Edappally in Kochi on Tuesday night when a group of youngsters, who were asked to leave for consuming alcohol in public, returned with additional individuals and attacked the hotel owner and employees. The assailants also caused extensive damage to the hotel’s property and food. The incident has resulted in the arrest of three individuals, while the Thrikkakara police continue their investigation.
The chain of events unfolded when four individuals arrived at the Taal Kitchen hotel in Marottichuvadu, situated near Edappally, at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday. These youngsters allegedly began consuming alcohol in the hotel’s family room, capturing the attention of the hotel staff. Concerned about the legality and public display of alcohol consumption, the employees addressed the issue with the individuals.
Following the confrontation, the four individuals left the hotel but surprisingly returned around 10:30 p.m., accompanied by even more people. According to reports in the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police, the group forcefully entered the hotel premises and launched a violent attack on the owner and employees. The assault resulted in severe injuries, with one victim even enduring a fractured finger.
The escalating violence did not stop there, as the assailants further intensified their destructive behavior. They willfully damaged the hotel’s property, causing estimated losses of around ₹90,000, and tampered with the food that was prepared for sale. Shockingly, CCTV footage from the hotel capturing the entire incident has since gained traction on various social media platforms.
Additionally, it has come to light that a couple of girls were present during the initial incident. Furthermore, the police report revealed the recovery of ganja, a type of cannabis, from the accused individuals.
Thrikkakara police sources confirmed that while no girls were among the accused, one of them was identified as a polytechnic student. All eight individuals involved in this incident have been charged with non-bailable offenses, including voluntarily causing hurt, trespassing, unlawful assembly, rioting, and violating Section 5 of the Kerala Prevention of Damage to Private Property Act.
This disturbing incident underscores the necessity for stricter alcohol-related regulations, especially concerning public consumption. Such episodes not only disrupt the tranquility of public spaces but can also escalate into violence, causing harm to individuals and establishments. The local authorities and law enforcement agencies must work together to deter such occurrences and maintain a safe environment for everyone.
As developments continue to unfold in this investigation, it serves as a stark reminder that public establishments must remain vigilant in upholding rules and regulations to ensure the safety and comfort of their patrons.
