BANGALORE, July 7: On Sankranti day this year Krishna and his mother Lakshmi went out in Doddaballapur to distribute Ellu (sesame) to their kith and kin. Returning on their two-wheeler via Tank Bund Road, little did they realise that two cold-blooded killers lurked around the corner.Shyam and Ravi - now in custody - who the police believe are responsible for more than 25 murders in five districts around Bangalore, were on the prowl again.Krishna was hit on the head and died immediately while Lakshmi fell unconscious. They were found by a passer-by the next morning. Lakshmi eventually gained consciousness but lost her memory completely, partly due to injury, partly due to shock.Police officials who had one look at Lakshmi and other victims who survived the same criminals feel the ones who died were lucky.Lakshmi is not only the victim to have to endure the trauma. On April 21, Sujathamma and her husband Narayanappa were attacked by the killers. Narayanappa died on the spot. Sujathamma did notlose consciousness but was too numb to react due to shock. Until someone found them on the road the next morning, she sat immobile, next to her dead husband. When the police arrived, she could not react nor was she able answer their questions. She is being treated for injuries and shock.In another case, on Krishnagiri-Pondicherry Road, the husband survived while the wife died instantly. But the killers were relentless. Within 15 minutes they had followed another couple and assaulted them on the same spot. All three are being treated for brain injuries.How many more? Even the police are not sure.Police believe the number of people killed or injured is higher than the recorded figure of 23. This is because even deaths recorded as accidents are turning out to be murders. The killers' modus operandi consisted of hitting out at moving two-wheelers or even crashing against them from behind or head on. As a result, the riders would lose balance, often hitting a culvert or falling into a ditch. Police sayShyam and Ravi were brutal and ruthless in their attacks. When asked about it, a smiling Shyam had this to say: ``There are officers here. Come to the prison, I will reveal everything'.
