Robber stabs Indian youth to death in Oman

A young Indian employee of an insurance company in Buraimi in Oman was stabbed to death on Tuesday, allegedly by a robber.

Prajith Muraleedharan, 26, hailing from Ranni in Pathanamthitta district in the southern Indian state of Kerala, was alone in the office at the time of the incident, as his colleagues had gone out for lunch.

Prajith was stationed in the Buraimi branch of Oman United Insurance Company for the last 15 days. On Tuesday noon, he was the only staffer handling customers in the isolated Sohar Road branch of the company, 20km from Buraimi at Jabal Maksoon, according to sources in Sohar, Oman. 

“Prejith had come to Oman just fifteen days ago. His dead body is lying in hospital here. He was stabbed to death by a man who robbed the branch of 3800 Omani rials,” said Balan, a relative of Prajith.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 from Oman, Balan said: “Prajith died on the spot after he was stabbed from behind by an Asian man.”

The dead body was found in a pool of blood in the office by other staff members when they returned after lunch break. According to some sources, the head was severed from the body and an Asian man, who had purchased a new knife from a nearby grocery, was seen hanging around in the area.

“The office was not in the city centre. The 24-hour insurance company was selling insurance policies to motorists crossing the Oman -UAE boarder. The office is always open as the motorists are always moving through the boarder. Other groceries and small shops in the area were open at that time,” added a source form Buraimi.

A report in ‘Gulf Madhyamam’ newspaper said Prejith was alone in the office when a Bangladeshi man came entered, planning to rob the branch.  When he opposed, the robber overpowered him and killed him with a knife purchased from a grocery in the area. After making sure that he is dead, the Bangladeshi too RO3800 in cash from the office and fled. The scene of the crime showed signs of struggle, the Malayalam daily said.

The Royal Oman Police reached the spot and cordoned off the area.

“We are saddened by the heinous crime which cost a young life. His family is not yet aware of his death. We are trying to repatriate the body after completing the legal procedures,” said a relative of Prejith from Muscat.

Royal Oman Police sources confirmed the crime but did not disclose details of the investigation, though a source said the culprit had been arrested.
 

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