Malappuram: The police have arrested four persons on Wednesday in connection with the brutal murder of Kunnasseri Naseer Husain in Mankada in an alleged case of moral policing. The arrested persons P.K Abdul Gafur (48), V.K Shefiq (30), N. Sharafudheen (29) and N. Abdu Nasar (36) are natives of Koottil in Mankada, where the incident took place on Tuesday. The police said that all the four have direct involvement in the crime. “Three more persons who are involved in the incident are yet to be arrested as they are still at large. Measures have been taken to nab then soon. We have also issued an alert to prevent them from leaving the country,” said A.M Sidhique, Circle Inspector of Perinthalmanna.
41-year-old Naseer was beaten to death in the early hours of Tuesday after the accused found him inside the house of a woman who stays alone. The police said that the first accused Abdul Gafur is the brother-in-law of the woman and the others are neighbours and friends of the woman's husband.
The police team has conducted a search for the remaining accused in various parts of Wayanad district and police suspect that they have already escaped to Karnataka. The police have named nine accused in the case and suspect the involvement of more persons. “Further lead in the investigation depends on the two who are at large. Witnesses are also a bit reluctant to come forward, making it difficult to gather more evidence,” he said.
Meanwhile the relatives of Naseer, have alleged that the murder was planned and local Muslim League workers have played a major role in it. But the local CPM leadership has rejected the allegation though Muslim League workers have a role in the alleged murder. Police also said that they were yet to verify the political rivalry behind the murder.
