Alappuzha, Kerala: A policewoman was brutally murdered by her male colleague on Saturday. He first knocked her off her two-wheeler, then proceeded to stab her before setting her on fire, police said.
The incident occurred at Mavelikera, near Alappuzha, at around 3pm when 32-year-old Soumya Pushapakaren was going to work; she was stationed at the Vallikunnu police station.
Her friend and colleague Ajaz, who was posted at the Aluva Traffic police station, banged into her two-wheeler with his car. As she got up and tried to flee, Ajaz slashed her with a knife and after she fell down, doused her with petrol and set her ablaze.
A terrified Pushapakeren ran into a nearby home where she collapsed and succumbed to her injuries. Ajaz, who also suffered burn injuries, was taken into custody and is now admitted to the Medical College hospital near Alappuzha.
Pushapakeren is survived by three children and her husband who works in the Middle East. An investigation is under way; a motive remains unclear at this point.
