Man dragged along road during brawl

Kochi: A dispute between two groups led to a youth being dragged for nearly 500m along SRM Road as he clutched onto the bonnet of a car.According to police, the case pertains to an altercation that took place near the rental accommodation along Darul Uloom Lane, at the north end of SRM Road, involving a group of youngsters who worked as delivery personnel.Police said that three of them, Abhijith, Amarnath and Saneesh, who were intoxicated, arrived at the location to meet their acquaintances in a car around 11pm. Another group of youngsters objected to their presence in the area, leading to a verbal altercation and a scuffle. Residents soon intervened and separated the groups.In the melee, Saneesh and Amarnath tried to flee from there in the car and Ashwad (20) who was part of the other group tried to stop the car. The vehicle hit him and the duo drove away with Ashwad clinging to the bonnet.Ashwad fell on the road after the driver applied the brakes suddenly. He sustained minor injuries to his hand. Later, police took the third member of the group, Abhijith, hailing from Adoor, into custody, while Saneesh and Amarnath are absconding.Residents have been alleging that the region had become a regular spot for drug peddlers. Police have begun an enquiry to track down the other two accused.