Following is an article submitted by one of our readers.

There have been numerous cases reported of a notorious mafia terrifying the citizens of Kochi. The mafia, that apparently calls itself ‘The Pambu Mafia’, strives to frighten the people walking peacefully on the sidewalks and streets by giving them false warnings of a snake slithering right next to their feet. The mafia finds it very rewarding to see the horrified expressions of the ‘scared-stiff’ victims and the joy of listening to them shouting out abuses at the top of their voices in frustration seems to be unexplainable. The mafia is composed of a bunch of young and jobless boys and girls and seems to be initiating more members into the gang lately. They are seen mostly in a golden Zen and white i20, and lately also seen in a white Punto. They are experts in the field and can almost immediately recognize the nationality of their ‘to-be victim’ from their faces and the snake warnings are given in their languages respectively. Their favourite targets are middle-aged and old men and women, and also the freakers in town wearing colourful apparels (and not to forget the bandanas and piercings, mostly on their brow).
One of their favourite incidents was when a newly initiated member tried her luck on a fat, middle-aged woman walking back home after loads of grocery shopping (PS-plastic bags in both hands). As soon as the snake alarm was given, the horrified woman lifted up her saree with both hands(without letting go of her plastic bags of course), preparing herself to run for dear life, and jumps very tactfully around a puddle of water and thought she managed to save herself from the deadly snake bite.
The mafia has made lives of the citizens miserable and people cannot walk around the city, safe and un-hoodwinked. A change of strategy by The Pambu Mafia is expected and thus Kochiland is warned of tremendous mental stress and torture in the coming days. So BEWARE Kochi…

Article Submitted by Preethi Mohan

DISCLAIMER: We at Kochivibe do not advocate such practices and in no terms whatsoever have relation to any of the parties mentioned in the post.